Main content

A Journey Through Lent: Jesus Wept

As Lent continues and Holy Week draws closer, Rwandan Christians reflect on the Raising of Lazarus in the Gospel of John and the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus Wept".

A service of prayer, music and reflection from Kigali, Rwanda.

As Lent continues and Holy Week draws closer, Rwandan Christians reflect on the Raising of Lazarus in the Gospel of John and the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus Wept".

To mark International Women's Day, three women from the Church, Barbara Umuhoza, Ruzindana Shengero Belyse and Vanessa Giramata, discuss Jesus' response to the death of Lazarus, His relationship with different women in the Bible and what it means to be a woman in the Church today.

We also hear from staff and patients at Sangwa Polyclinic in Huye who pray each day before starting work and who explain why they feel that their faith in God has an impact on their medical practice.

The Service and sermon are led by Pastor John Bosco Kanyangoga and the music is led by Asaph Worship team, with leading worshipers, Janviere Uwamahoro, Josue Igiraneza and Serge Gasasira. The readers are Barbara Umuhoza, Serge Gasasira and Vanessa Giramata

Reading:
The raising of Lazarus from John Chapter 11

Music:
I speak Jesus
What a Beautiful name
Always on time (I remember)
You came
He won鈥檛 fail (Firm Foundation)

6 days left to listen

38 minutes

Programme Script

Pastor John Bosco Kanyangoga听

Good morning and Praise the Lord. 鈥ˋ warm welcome to everyone to today鈥檚 service at Zion Temple Celebration Centre, in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
I am Pastor John Bosco Kanyangoga, the Vice Legal Representative of Authentic Word Ministries.
Whether this is your home church,听if you are visiting for the first time, we are so excited you joined us today in the presence of the Lord.
We are a church that believes in the Bible and the power to transform lives through a living relationship with our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Our vision is to prepare the Bride of Christ.

Let me also take this time to give a warm welcome to 麻豆社 Radio 4 listeners听- joining us for this special service. 听

I want to take a few moments to share a brief history of Zion Temple Celebration Centre. Zion Temple Celebration Centre began as a response to Rwanda鈥檚 deep need for healing, spiritual renewal and community rebuilding in the years following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
In 1999, Zion Temple led by Apostle Dr Paul Muhirwa Gitwaza, opened its doors, welcoming people from different walks of life, primarily Genocide survivors and returning refugees who were seeking healing after immense loss. Over the years, these new believers grew into a dynamic congregation committed not just to weekly worship but to transforming lives through the gospel, intentional community, and service.
From its earliest days, the church has emphasised a personal relationship with Jesus and practical discipleship, helping people find hope and purpose as Rwanda rebuilt its social and spiritual fabric.

And now let's welcome Asaph Worship team


MUSIC: I Speak Jesus - Charity Gayle

Pastor JB to welcome people to read the Bible verses

Thank you very much Asaph for leading us into the session of praise and worship. God inhabits the praises of his people, and you can be sure He is here with us.


This morning鈥檚 scriptures are read by Barbara, Vanessa & Serge


READING 1:听John 11:17-27 (by Barbara Umuhoza)

17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.鈥18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.鈥19And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.鈥21Now Martha said to Jesus, 鈥淟ord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.鈥22But even now I know that鈥痺hatever You ask of God, God will give You.鈥澨23Jesus said to her,鈥淵our brother will rise again.鈥 24Martha said to Him,鈥淚 know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.鈥 25Jesus said to her,鈥淚 am鈥痶he resurrection and the life.鈥疕e who believes in Me, though he may鈥痙ie, he shall live.鈥26And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?鈥 27She said to Him, 鈥淵es, Lord,鈥疘 believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.鈥

READING 2:鈥疛ohn 11:32-36鈥(by Serge Gasasira)

32Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she鈥痜ell down at His feet, saying to Him,鈥淟ord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.鈥 33Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.鈥34And He said,鈥淲here have you laid him?鈥 They said to Him, 鈥淟ord, come and see.鈥澨35Jesus wept.鈥36Then the Jews said, 鈥淪ee how He loved him!鈥

READING鈥3:鈥疛ohn 11:38-44鈥听(by Vanessa Giramata)

38Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a鈥痵tone lay against it.鈥39Jesus said,鈥淭ake away the stone.鈥 Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, 鈥淟ord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been鈥痙ead鈥痜our days.鈥

40Jesus said to her,鈥淒id I not say to you that if you would believe you would鈥痵ee the glory of God?鈥濃41Then they took away the stone鈥痜rom鈥痶he鈥痯lace鈥痺here the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up鈥疕is鈥痚yes and said,鈥淔ather, I thank You that You have heard Me.鈥42And I know that You always hear Me, but鈥痓ecause of the people who are standing by I said鈥痶his,鈥痶hat they may believe that You sent Me.鈥濃43Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice,鈥淟azarus, come forth!鈥濃44And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with鈥痝raveclothes, and鈥痟is face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them,鈥淟oose him, and let him go.鈥

Pastor JB Introduces a reflection on the theme 鈥淛esus wept 鈥渁nd Women International Day discussion.


Today, in the season of Lent, as we prepare for Holy Week, we're considering the story of the raising of Lazarus, as found in John's Gospel.
It's a narrative with many layers - the relationship between Jesus and sisters, Mary and Martha, a deeply human response to the death of a dear friend and the divine manifested in his miraculous resurrection from the dead, giving us a glimpse of what is to come in Jesus' resurrection at Easter.
The theme of our service is "Jesus wept".听
When I have reflected on this scripture I听can鈥檛听help but remember many of us on this great continent of Africa still believe men don鈥檛 cry.
Jesus was man, but He was also God, yet the bible says He wept after the death of his friend Lazarus. He sympathised with Mary and Marthe- the sisters of Lazarus.
This is a demonstration of God in a human body; with every sentiment a human can have. He identifies with our pains and sorrows even today.

Today听also happens to be International Women鈥檚 Day. So, as a fellowship we want to honour the women in our congregation and all women in the world.
Zion Temple Celebration Centre intentionally creates spaces where women are encouraged to grow spiritually, develop their gifts, and step into leadership. 听
Women are leading different parts of the service听today听- from worship to prayer to singing,听demonstrating that women are听valued,听equipped, and empowered in the life of the church.
Some are involved in supporting the church鈥檚 different projects; the school, health clinic, radio and tv.
All these projects serve the community and Rwandan society in ensuring that people鈥檚 lives are transformed holistically. I am inviting some of our brave women to share their thoughts in a discussion on the theme of the day: Jesus Wept.

Discussion by Barbara Umuhoza, Giramata Vaness and Ruzindana Shengero Belyse (all members of Zion Temple Celebration Centre Gatenga in Kigali 鈥 Rwanda)

MUSIC: What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship

Pastor JB sermon


MUSIC: Always on Time (I remember) - Elevation Worship

Pastor JB introduce the Polyclinic:

Sangwa Polyclinic (in Huye Southern Province in Rwanda) offers professional medical skills, practical and spiritual care to families who come for treatment. The clinic represents Zion Temple鈥檚 heart to serve the whole person.

Sangwa Polyclinic

Interview with Dr Egide Kayitare Board Member & Founder of Sangwa Polyclinic, Dr Francois Munyengabe Consultant Paediatrician Clinical Director, and Sonia Umutesi a Patient + some prayers and worship songs of the stuff (they pray 30鈥 before they start to work Monday 鈥 Friday).


MUSIC:听You Came - Bethel Music


Pastor JB introduce prayers by Annet Mucyo

Finally, dear people of God, I pray for you to encounter this Jesus who wept.
His compassion and love seek after your heart, to save you from your sins, heal your broken heart and transform your life.听May you invite Him into your heart to come and touch you and change your life, In Jesus, Name.听AMEN.


MUSIC:听

He won鈥檛 fail (Firm Foundation) - Cody Carnes

Music led by Janviere Uwamahoro, Serge Gasasira and Josue Igiraneza 鈥 all members of Asaph Worship team from Zion Temple Celebration Centre Gatenga, Kigali 鈥 Rwanda

Broadcast

  • Sun 8 Mar 2026 08:10

Lent Talks

Lent Talks

Six people reflect on the story of Jesus' ministry and Passion from their own perspectives

No fanfare marked Accession Day...

No fanfare marked Accession Day...

In the Queen, sovereignty is a reality in a life, says the Dean of Westminster.

The Tokyo Olympics 鈥 Stretching Every Sinew

The Tokyo Olympics 鈥 Stretching Every Sinew

Athletes' reflections on faith and competing in the Olympics.

"We do not lose heart."

"We do not lose heart."

Marking the centenary of HRH Prince Philip's birth, a reflection from St George's Chapel.

St David's Big Life Hack

St David's Big Life Hack

What do we know about St David, who told his monks to sweat the small stuff?

Two girls on a train

Two girls on a train

How a bystander's intervention helped stop a young woman from being trafficked.

Sunday Worship: Dr Rowan Williams

Sunday Worship: Dr Rowan Williams

How our nation can rise to the huge challenges it faces, post-Covid-19.