On the last Sunday in October, the Lvhua Street Church in Anshan, Liaoning, held a praise gathering to celebrate the 2020 Autumn Harvest Thanksgiving Day.
On October 25, believers came to the church early. Pastor Yuan Ming, president of the Anshan Municipal CC&TSPM and other pastoral staff greeted them at the front entrance of the church.
Elder Shi Aijun, chairman of the Liaoning Provincial CC&TSPM, dressed in his clerical robes, greeted the believers. He read Luke 17:11-19 and gave a sermon entitled, “A Grateful Heart”. In the Biblical story, Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one Samaritan came back and thanked the Lord for healing him. Jesus asked him, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” Through this miracle and the Lord’s teaching, we learn that some believers weren’t grateful when they received the Lord’s grace and were healed. He emphasized that no matter what environment they encountered, they must thank God for all things all the time, praise and pray for everything so that they will be joyful and lack nothing. Elder Shi also said they must give thanks and glory to the Triune God.
Then, Pastor Yuan led the believers in singing "I Bless You Today", then the thanksgiving and praise meeting began.
On the stage, members from the churches various ministries presented more than 20 programs to praise and thank the Lord. The programs contained poems, dances, chorus, solo singing, and an instrumental ensemble which was carefully prepared.
Before it began, the big screen showed the believers singing hymns and dancing on past Thanksgiving Days.
The church also held an autumn Thanksgiving and praise gathering in the evening Sunday service.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
