It was a beautiful Sunday, September 17, 2017, and the atmosphere was friendly, with more than 2,000 participants in attendance when the new ultra-modern St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church New Owerri, was dedicated.
The crowd, people of all ages and tribes were there to take part in the spirit-filled dedication ceremony that was performed by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri, Rt. Revd. Cyril C. Okorocha, PhD.
“That is true commitment”. Said Bishop Okorocha, who further maintained that Anglican Churches all over the world, and particularly Owerri Diocese, are known for decency and orderliness in handling the things of God.
Bishop Okorocha who enjoined the people of God to be strong in their faith, said that the enemy called devil, is making every effort to deceive the people of God through his worldly gift that does not last, adding that God is the only giver of every good and perfect gift.
He argued that because of the quest for worldly possessions, many so called 'Christians' have defiled and turned many houses of God into secret cults and shrines, where all manners of atrocities are carried out.
He said, “The Church of God is not a cult. It is a house of God for worship. And those who want to turn it into private use for their selfish interest should be ready to face the consequences. Those who want to build or own a church are excluded from the Anglican Communion, and remember when you do that, you have taken the leprosy of Naaman upon yourself.
The prelate called on Christians to remain faithful to God always, adding that the day is evil with its attendant crisis with confusion which has continued to threaten the life of the children of God.
In his sermon, the Archdeacon in charge of Christ's Church Archdeaconry, Anglican Diocese of Owerri, Venerable Zion Ngoka, enjoined Christians to totally surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, as it is the only way to defeat the devil.
Expounding on the topic, “Presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God” (Romans.12), Venerable Ngoka, said it takes only total dedication and commitment to God, for one to overcome the challenges of life, adding that a dedicated Christian is a spirit-filled one, who can withstand the devil’s onslaught at all times.
One of the highlights of the occasion was the conversion of the parish to an Area, which automatically changed the status of the Vicar, Rev. Canon Onyinyeama Onyeagocha, to an administrator. Others were, the dedication of the Font, the Preacher Desk, the Lectern, the Pulpit, the Chancel Step and the Holy Table (Sacrarium).
The first and second reading was taken by Sir John Njoku (1Kings8:22-30) and Lady Ngozi Duru (Rev.21:1-7), respectively.
(c) Christian Voice Newspaper
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