Bishop harps on need to assist the less privileged

Helping those in need have been described as one of the most important attributes of Christian worship that moves the hands of God.

Bishop Emmanuel Chigozie Maduwike, JP of the Anglican Diocese of Ikeduru made the observation weekend at the Chapel of Healing Cross, Bishop Court, Atta, in the Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State while addressing the faithful at the annual harvest and thanksgiving service of the Chapel.

The event which comes up yearly to raise funds for the upkeep of the poor and needy in the society, irrespective of clan, faith and social status saw parishioners and their well wishers dancing and praising God for His faithfulness.

The prelate who said that man was created to be a blessing to others counseled Christians to give generously n support of the work of God, and in aid of the less privileged in the society.

Bishop Madwuike said that apart from providing accommodation for the homeless, the Chapel in conjunction with the St. Luke's Chapel, St. David's Hospital Ikenegbu Owerri, have carried out numerous charity outreaches which included payment of school fees to indigent students, and also the payment of medical bills of some patients who were detained in the various hospitals due to inability to pay their medical bills after they had been discharged.

While encouraging the people of God to bear one another's burdens in order to open the floodgate of blessings, the Diocesan said that till date the chapel have spent about N3million in payment of medical bills to 54 indigent patients without minding who they were and where they came from.

He thanked Dr. Davidson Anyanwu, the Medical Director of St. David Hospital Ikenegbu Owerri for bequeathing St. Luke's Chapel to the Diocese of Ikeduru and prayed to God to continue to enlarged his coast.

In a homily entitled; “the need to always appreciate God for His numerous blessings and mercy”, Ven. Dr. Sam K. Anumihe, Archdeacon of Iho Archdeaconry said that it is always good to give thanks unto the Lord.

He said that harvest is a time of counting one's blessings and appreciating God for His goodness and mercy.

Ven. Anumihe listed such benefits as; forgiveness of sins, security, divine healing, providence and prosperity, adding that every perfect gifts and endowment come from God.

With various scriptural references he enjoined the people of God to always think of what they would do for God and humanity, as such brings a lot of blessings.

He said that apart from using the proceeds of harvest in aid of the poor and needy, it enriches and enlarges the coast of those who made such sacrifices, adding that their gifts would go long way in strengthening the weak and vunerable.

Also speaking, the vice chairman of the Chapel Committee, Ven. John Akahara thanked Bishop Maduwike for allowing every proceed from the Chapel to be used for the work of charity, adding that this gesture had uplifted many families and strengthened weak knees.

In his remarks, the chairman of 2017 harvest committee, Sir Bethel Onukwugha had enjoined Christian faithful to always serve God with their resources, adding that such sacrifices were always acceptable unto God.

The event featured praises, worship and prayers; and its highpoint was the harvesting of baskets of blessing which was done with joy and great admiration.