…As St John’s Church Nise Hosts Girls’ Guild Evangelism
— Aboka’s family Moves into Brand New House
By Emeka Odogwu
Christians have been told that the soul is immortal even when the flesh is gone to the great beyond.
This was the climax of the sermon on All Souls day at the Church of The Holy Spirit Awka by Ven. Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu, vicar of the church and Archdeacon CHS Awka Archdeaconry.
According to Ven Dr Egwuonwu Jesus Christ is the resurrection of life and those who believe in Him shall not die, even when declared dead as in the Old Testament or asleep as in the New Testament.
This is coming as the Vicar St John’s Anglican Church Nise, Rev Canon Dr. Kingsley Chukwukamma advocated for forgiving spirit in the family and among believers, as a unique set apart from unbelievers. He wonders why true Christians who profess Jesus Christ cannot forgive others who wronged them yet are still active in the Church.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Nebeife Rowland and Mrs Chinyere Maureen Aboka went to God in thanksgiving for His grace and blessings upon them including God’s unending goodness in health and provision of a storey building Shelter among others.
Reverend Canon Chukwukamma encouraged members of the guild to remain steadfast in their faith and commended the numerous confectionaries they made for lunching and presentation, describing skills as family rescue in times of lack.
Rev Canon Chukwukamma speaking on the theme: ”Delay is not denial”, said the destinies may be delayed for a while but can never be denied because even before we were born, God has made it so. He noted that something we ask God can be delayed for our own good.
This is as the vicar’s wife/Coordinator of the Girl’s Guild MrsGloria Chukwukamma advocated for fear of God and chastity amongst youths particularly female children. She encouraged every girl child to have a skill to empower herself in their homes, as salaries are no longer enough to cater for the challenges in the families.
She encouraged other women to emulate Mrs Chinyere Maureen Aboka, the patroness of the Girl’s Guild for her unending love for the church and things of God. She said the girls made custard, soyabeans and zobo drinks to raise resources.
Meanwhile, at CHS Awka Ven Dr Egwuonwu reminded the congregation that the human body is made up of dust, which houses the spirit and soul. He added that the body which makes one go astray decays over time, yet, harbouring the spirit which makes one a living being and the soul that loves forever.
The Archdeacon, CHS Awka Archdeaconry educated that the state of the body and soul depends on the type of spirit it harbours. He also informed that the spirit of God doesn’t depart man entirely as it awaits for revival to take place to return.
The Vicar, Church of The Holy Spirit Awka warned against neglecting the soul, advocating for care for the Soul which goes before the throne of God for judgement.
He said the beauty of the Anglican Communion is that it kept quiet on theological areas where Jesus Christ didn’t speak as God.
He reminded that the target of salvation is the soul hence if you control the pleasure of the body, you shall triumph, adding that if the Soul is not saved, one should forget salvation.
He decried that so many souls in the Church are bitter and wicked in their souls, adding that anyone who can’t forgive, has something wrong with his or her soul. He urged Christians to say no to vengeance.
Speaking on the theme, ”Delay is not denial”, Ven Dr. Egwuonwu said Anglican Church did not believe in purgatory as the Church taught about the communion of saints as Church Militant, which were those believers on earth; and Church Expectant, which were those faithful departed awaiting the fullness of God’s kingdom, as well as the Church Triumphant, which were those saints in heaven.
The highlight of the All Souls Day was a presentation by Pharmacist Goodness Oluchi Okeke on Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme asking members of CHS Awka for patronage.
At the Church of The Holy Spirit Awka Christian Men’s fellowship in preparation of the annual Harvest Thanksgiving, Ven Dr Egwuonwu reminded men that the greatest generosity should be in the church to uplift others, hence, there are many reasons for thanksgiving in the church.
Mazi Samuel Ike, Chairman Christian Men’s fellowship Church of the Holy Spirit Awka, presided over the meeting with a charge on men to discharge God’s responsibility upon them according to their abilities in line with the charge by Ven Dr Egwuonwu.
Issues concerning patience in marriage, marrying for commitment rather than emotions and feelings, self-control and possible ways of keeping marriages were highlighted at the meeting.
