After three months of suspension due to COVID-19, a Shanxi church resumed its services on Palm Sunday, with the Holy Week coming up.
Arriving at the Yaodu District Church in Linfen City early on the morning of March 28, Palm Sunday, churchgoers from all over the city had their temperature taken. After registration, they were guided to sit down with an obligatory empty seat separating the attendants from each other.
At 9:30 in the morning, the choir lined up into the sanctuary with palm branches. After greeting the congregation, Elder Xie Chunlan, who presided over the service, led them in reciting the Apostles' Creed. Later, the congregation sang the hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns.
Based on Mark 11:1-11, Pastor Li Xiuping gave a sermon titled A Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. The main points of the event were as follows: Christ came for peace, to save us today and he came in obedience to prepare himself for the cross.
After the congregation sang the hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Elder Xie gave the benediction prayer. The second service was held at 2:30 in the afternoon.
On the morning of Holy Monday, the second day of the Holy Week, a prayer and meditation gathering was held, presided by Elder Chen Li. The believers sang the hymn My Lord, O Cleanse My Heart, and prayed.
Based on Matthew 21:12-27, Pastor Wang Shuai gave a sermon titled The Authority of Jesus. On that day, Jesus Christ cleansed the temple and cursed a fig tree with the authority, demonstrating the glory of God.
On the morning of March 30th, Holy Tuesday, the church hosted another prayer and meditation meeting presided over by Elder Yang Guohua. The believers sang the 197th hymn from the Chinese New Hymnal, Wonderful Words of Life, and prayed.
Citing John 12:20-36, Elder Zhang Xiaohua shared a sermon titled A Kernel of Wheat Falls to the Ground. He said that a kernel of wheat contained life, but it remained one unless it fell to the ground. The "seed" rose from death after falling to the ground, so we should follow the example of Jesus to be fruitful. After meditation and prayer, the congregation sang the hymn He Leadeth Me.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
