Worship Services Streamlined

Over the last weekend, as Government’s directives on measures for social distancing took effect, many parishioners avoided church attendance. No doubt they felt that this was a time to be isolated and to worship at home.

Pastor Howard Simon
Attendees at SDA service
Christian Fellowship Church
Church of God (Holiness) Congregation
Pastor Philip Gumbs

For the most part, though, many of those who found it necessary to be in church were careful enough to observe the social distancing advisory. Further, at the end of service, the usual social chatter was restricted to just a silent elbow-to-elbow nudge with an accompanying peaceful smile.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church maintained the usual fervor of consecrated worship. However, while many members were naturally mindful regarding the advice not to sit in close proximity, others maintained their usual sitting arrangements anyway.

Most importantly, it was the encouragement of Pastor Howard Simon. He admonished the congregation to recognize the indelible reality that God, who has been in control of historic tragedies since the world began, is still in control today in the face of this notorious COVID-19.

It seems that his sentiments were echoed by Pastor Philip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness) who reminded his parishioners on Sunday of their stability in the great God of the universe: “We have an anchor” he stressed. “The purpose of an anchor is to hold your position. An anchor is a means of support and security, no matter how violent the storm may become. Today, in the face of COVID-19, we have an anchor, and this anchor is in our God.”

Remarkably, the congregation of the Christian Fellowship Church totally observed the isolation trend by not gathering for worship there. The church building was in lock-down mode, and the only critter on the grounds was a lonely, humble dog, sitting in the south-east corner of the parking lot.

Although we cannot identify his motive for being there, he had no doubt come as a Sunday morning tradition to welcome his church friends. Unbeknown to him, he was to be disappointed.