In China’s northwestern Shaanxi Province, the Shilipu Church in Baoji City suspended all in-person gathering activities from January 9, in accordance with the government’s announcement on COVID-19 prevention and control.
The church resumed its online Sunday service on January 10 to maintain the worship life of the believers.
At 9:00 on the morning of Sunday January 10, the online service began with an intercessory prayer led by Elder Pang Xianhua. Then she read Psalm 29:1-2 as a call to worship, “Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” Next, she invited the believers to sing the second hymn of the Chinese New Hymnal, Come, Thou Almighty King. Later pastor Yao Chao led the congregation in reading psalms 16.
At 9:30, based on 3 John 1:2 Elder Liu Xifeng gave an online sermon, saying this scripture was Saint John’s prayer in which he also expressed his love. Always saying, “Let us love one another”, the saint of love wished all might go well with every believer.
Elder Liu said “all” referred to the believer’s body and soul. Genesis 2:7 says, "The Lord God made man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." As human beings were composed of body and soul, she said when one enjoyed good health and the soul was getting along well, naturally all might go well with him.
Around 10:00 in the morning, Pastor Wang Binghui gave a benediction: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Amen! ”
Finally, the service ended with the Lord's Prayer, recited by the congregation.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
-Translated by Abigail Wu
