The third Sunday in October is the “beginning of a new calendar” for members of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Isokan Ifemimo Sowapo Parish, Testimony Cathedral in Bariga, Lagos.
For the past 37 years, the parish has been celebrating adult harvest and thanksgiving service in October. This year’s celebration was no different except that it was upgraded in terms of some events in the week-long programme.
“Joshua 21:45 says that not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
“The same thing has applied to us, thus there is every need to testify to the fulfillment of His Word in our lives in our peculiar parish,” preached Tunji Solaja, the shepherd in charge.
Thanksgiving prelude
The adult harvest kicked off with a three-day revival from Monday to Wednesday. The revivalists were Shofowora (Sharon Parish, Ikorodu), Benson Aiyegbusi (Blessed Crusader, Isolo), and Afiz Kiki (National Headquarters, Makoko).
Attendance was unprecedented as the church auditorium was filled to capacity. Attendees were treated to soul lifting songs and words of exhortation revolving around the theme.
It was a double dose on Tuesday as women from various parishes in Lagos State converged on the church premises for their monthly fellowship.
It was another time of worship and call for women to stand by their mission of leading their family in the way of the Lord.
Saturday was family time out and cleaning of the environment in preparation for the thanksgiving service the following day. Youths joined the clean up, decorators kept busy in the church building, and caterers worked in the kitchen.
Children had their corners with bouncing castle and coin ride. They were served toast bread and cold chapman provided by the Sunday school department.
Music was also supplied by DJ Scoppy.
Bunmi Kasali, a Sunday school teacher, said: “Although it is adult harvest, we still have to make the children very happy because they are also testifying to the goodness of God in their lives and department.
|”They are increasing physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is also a way of keeping them together within the church premises instead of wandering about.”
There was enough roasted plantain (boli) to go round the adults who were also getting ready for a Bible quiz competition involving over 10 parishes.
The questions were taken from given Bible passages, Celestial hymns and doctrines, and general Bible knowledge.
The quiz masters, Micheal Elebiomayo and Oluwasegunfunmi Usifo, had a good control and ensured high standard.
National Headquarters, Makoko, emerged first, followed by Itire Isiba and Milestone, and Lawanson parishes.
All were rewarded with cash prizes.
Thanksgiving service
Solaja admonished everyone to imbibe the habit of testifying to the goodness of God.
“Testimony is so powerful that it brings joy and progress. When testifying, we are declaring the fulfillment of the Lord’s covenant,” he stressed
He cited the example of Abraham whose life proved that God fulfills His covenants.
The thanksgiving service was conducted by Segun Apata from Fulfillment Covenant parish.
Prayers for spiritual power, progress, victory, peace, and blessing were offered for members of the parish, CCC worldwide, and Nigeria as a whole.
The sermon, preached by Ogunremi, was taken from Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-12.
He counselled the congregation to rejoice in life, learn to give, and praise God – but to also remember the days of darkness.
“For the covenant of God to be fulfilled in your life, you must have done your own part. When you make any promise to anyone, especially in the area of giving, you should redeem it.
“You should give as you purpose in your heart and the grace of God will abound toward you,” he advised.
Ogunremi explained that it is pertinent to give of the first fruits of all that God has given unto us so that we can get more.
“Proverbs 3:9 states that we should honour the Lord with our possession and first fruits of all our increase so that our barns will be filled with plenty and our vats overflow with new wine,” he reiterated.
When it was time for the thanksgiving proper, nobody came empty handed before God. Some evangelists had to carry their offering on their head as it was too heavy.
There were rams, yams, fish, bags of rice, fruits, and other edibles at the feet of the apostles.
Throughout the service, the host choir (Peculiar Singers), led by the choir master, Igbekele Jatula, did not disappoint as there was no dull moment.
Collaboration between singers and instrumentalists was commendable.
There was so much to eat and drink as guests and members were treated to varieties of foods and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages.
Many parishes were represented at the service and old members also showed up.
Raphael Julius, the assistant shepherd, expressed happiness with the success of the service and urged congregants to shun activities that block the fulfilment of covenants.
“Some of them are unbelief, disobedience, and lack of faith. I pray that God will grant us the grace to continue to give testimonies throughout our lifetime,” he prayed.