March 21 marked the first Sunday service of Lvhua Street Church in Anshan, Liaoning Province since the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic before the 2021 Spring Festival.
Arriving at the church at around 5 o’clock, the pastoral staff and the fellow workers of the service team emerged to welcome believers following their division of labor among themselves.
Following COVID-19 protocols, the congregation wore masks and had their temperatures taken in front of two electronic thermometers while entering the sanctuary. Staying in front of the offering box, believers put their tithes and offerings into it. They later sat down to pray and praise. From the first to the fourth floors, the sanctuary was full of believers.
At 8:30 in the morning, at the tune of sacred music, the choir sang a hymn titled "Wonderful Words of Life". Presided over by Brother Su Shengbao, the Sunday worship began. After leading the congregation in reading Job 1:6-12, Rev. Fang Wei gave a sermon with the title "Facing Suffering". Through the testimony of Job and the temptation of the devil, he explained the grace of God behind the suffering to exhort believers to be firm in their faith, combining the experiences of David and the apostle Paul with the witness of church members. The second service was held at 6 o'clock in the evening.
According to various reports, major churches in Anshan City, such as Shahe Church, Xingsheng Church, Yongle Church, Qidashan Church, and Dagushan Church, had resumed on-site meetings in recent days, holding this Sunday service in each sanctuary. This was the first city-level reopening of churches in Liaoning Province, which also accumulated experience for the restoration of churches across the province.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
