On Sunday 26th November, 2023, Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, will stand still for the 2023 Annual Harvest and Thanksgiving of the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka. It will start with Martins at 8 0’clock in the morning.
The event which will be under the chairmanship of Mr and Mrs Chibueze Ifediorah, the Managing Director of Sinai Oil and Gas Limited, will have the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Knight of Saint Paul as the Special Guest of Honour. The Archbishop, Province of the Niger, Bishop of Awka Diocese, and Dean of the Cathedral, His Grace, the Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, Ph.D is the Chief Host.
Already, elaborate arrangements have been made by the Archdeacon in the Cathedral, Venerable Samuel Okonkwo and members of the Harvest Planning Committee led by the Chairman, Professor Charles Ezeagba to ensure a memorable and successful outing.
Harvest and thanksgiving is when the church thanks God for His benevolence during the farming and harvest season, prosperity in human life, healthy living, promotions and above all, for giving life to his children.
At the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, every Harvest is accompanied with a theme which captures the victories that God gave to his people in the year and their expectations for the year to come. Thus, the theme for this year’s event is “Harvest of Never Give Up”. This is because the year 2023 witnessed a lot of economic, social, political, security and global challenges yet God’s Grace and favour prevailed. Therefore, there is need for the faithful to give thanks to the Lord for the grace to survive the challenges and the privilege of experiencing another Harvest season with renewed zeal and faith for a better and brighter Harvest season.
The assurance of God’s ever abiding presence and His divine help is a big encouragement to his people in the Harvest season of the year 2023. In Matthew 28:29b, Jesus says “I am with you always; even to the end of the age”, Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus remains with his people even during trials and tribulations.
In this year’s Harvest season, as the faithful focus on the theme “Harvest of Never Give Up” inspired by Matthew chapter fifteen verses twenty-one to twenty-nine, God needs our faith for us to conquer. True faith may sometimes be found where it may be least expected. The prayer of the Canaanite woman, a Gentile, ought to teach us that it is grace and not location that makes one a believer.
We may also find an example in the life of a one time President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln never gave up until he reached his zenith despite failing multiple times in life. He failed in business in 1831; was defeated in a legislative race in 1832; failed in business again in 1833; suffered a nervous breakdown in 1836; was defeated for the position of Speaker in 1838; was defeated for that of electors in 1840; lost his bid for congress in1843; and lost in his run for the Senate in 1855. He was defeated for the office of the Vice President in 1856 and lost another run for Senate in 1858, but, surprisingly, and if not by any other thing but grace and perseverance, was elected President in 1860.
In another example, Mordecai and his people pursued the enemies of the Jews until they recovered all from their enemies. Therefore, child of God, Never Give Up! Whatever the enemy has taken from you; by faith, pursue, overtake and recover all. This is the victory, we have this year, even our faith.
This Harvest of Never Give Up is a Harvest of destroying the plans of the enemies upon our lives. The enemy of the Children of God will not be happy that we are appreciating God not minding the challenges in the country.
So, as the faithful parishioners of the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, get set for the 2023 Harvest and Thanksgiving on Sunday, 26th November, 2023, they cordially invite you to come and share in their joy and as they begin their journey of faith to never give up.
Written by CHIGOZIE NNEBEIFE
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