For members of the Cherubim and Seraphim church in Lagos, it was indeed another refreshing moment in God’s presence, as church service resumed on Sunday after weeks of ban on worship centers occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Government had, on March 30, directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT as part of the measures to curb coronavirus escalation in Lagos.
Since then, worship centers in the two states have remained shut.
After weeks of gradual easing of lockdown, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, penultimate Saturday, announced the reopening of worship centres in Lagos with effect from August 7 but at 50 per cent capacity.
Checks by Acts Of Seraphs however saw Cherubim and Seraphim churches comply with the guidelines of the state government on opening of worship centers.
At Goshen household C$S church, Fagba – Lagos, the church family members list were used to divide the congregation into two sections, while two sessions of the service held in compliance with the 50% capacity.
Equally, neither hand shake nor hugging was permitted, just as a single entry and exit doors were allowed in and out of the church building.
Also in line with government’s directives, old people and children were not allowed to worship, while everyone was implored to leave the church premises immediately after their sessions, as loitering was prohibited.
It was also not an exception to CSMC, The Lord Reigns Chapel located at Orelope area of Egbeda, as appropriate screening equipment for COVID-19 symptoms such as a contactless temperature check was made available for use on members upon arriving at the church premises. Same with hand-washing facilities and sanitizers.
Placed at the entrance of the church was a placard bearing an inscription that calls the attention of everyone to the covid-19 rules. Similarly attached to the wall inside the auditorium was a cardboard that indicates the covid-19 toll lines.
The church choristers who wore purple nose masks which were of the same colour with their capes, did not hesitate to dish out special numbers and hymnals to assuage the taste of congregants who obviously longed for such.
At the Eternal Sacred order of the Cherubim and Seraphim church, Irawo Owuro, Isheri-Oshun, it was joy overflow, as members kick-started their post-lockdown service with rounds of testimonies of new born babies that were delivered during the lockdown period.
The exhilarating mood, however, did not affect the level of social distancing that was maintained in the course of the service.
The leadership of the church also beseeched the worshippers never to relent in holding on to God, and to abide strictly to Government’s law pertaining to social distancing and washing of hands regularly.
On their part, the devotees of Holy Living Souls Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Badagry, were grateful for nothing but for God’s magnanimity to preserve their lives from the coronavirus while the lockdown lasted.
They equally expressed their gratitude in virtually every section of the service, just as they reveled in what appeared a reunion service having fellowshipped together in a long while.
Meanwhile, church service guidelines by government were followed to the letters by the congregants, as they put necessary measures in place ahead of the service.
In the same vein, members of The Praying Band of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church were all seen donning their well ironed white garments, as they sauntered into the church premises. They were, though, few in numbers, but not without their face masks.
The attendees could also be seen putting up different dance steps, while they sing and rejoice unto the lord for a moment they have long anticipated.
An elder of the church in his exhortation says, it calls for celebration, because after months of break in church activities, they counted every member of the church and none were missing. Both the young and the aged ones.
A “No mask, No entry” rule was enforced at Church of the King of Kings Headquarters, Iju Ishaga, just her members complied, accordingly.
While two youth officials coordinated the washing of hands and use of sanitizer, members of the Salvation army shared the church’s customized nose mask to the people that didn’t have it.
The service which ended by 1pm saw members danced to their satisfaction during the praise and worship session, too.
Acts Of Seraphs also observed that the time frame of the services held across the churches was short; an unusual one at that.
Seraphs speak on resumption
Expressing how they feel resuming back to church after lockdown, seraphs whose countenance speaks nothing but sheer delight said they were glad to resume church activities. One of them described the resumption as a new year celebration, saying; “Today is like the first Sunday in 2020, so we need to rejoice for surviving the pandemic.”
Another said; “I have been waiting for this Sunday because I’ve sewn new garments just for today, and I want to rock it in sincere gratitude to God.”
Seraph Tosin Babayeju of Irawo Owuro C&S church says, it was an exceedingly awesome experience coming together again after a long period of time. According to her, it was as if everyone was coming to meet the long awaited bridegroom.
Sister Oki Elizabeth of Church of the King of Kings Headquarters, Iju Ishaga, described as unusual, the feelings of fellowshiping together with brethren in the church, once again.
“Yesterday Service was awesome, the feeling was indeed great and unusual. I had a great time dancing to the Lord again, with the joy and happiness of the members coming together to worship was so nice”, She said.
Acts of Seraphs understands that some C&S churches had scheduled their resumption till next Sunday. Pastor Joseph of Goshen Household however advised that the churches should ensure that they prepare ahead to observe the covid-19 compliance.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Seraphs… Tosin Obisesan, Yemisi Otokiti, Gideon Akog, Oki Elizabeth, Tunmise Adeyemi and Martins Adedeji
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