THE need for peace and tolerance in this year’s general election dominated most sermons in churches, when believers started the Easter Triduum with services from Good Friday through Holy Saturday till Easter Sunday to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the fountain of the Christian religion.
While most Christians wore white apparel for church services on Sunday, it was preceded by the wearing of black clothes for Good Friday services.
Most Christians from the Orthodox churches marked Good Friday with observation of the passion of Christ services through Saturday when new converts were baptised and capped with Resurrection Church Services during which most of them were clad in white apparel to signify the victory of light over darkness.
Albert K. Salia reports from the Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church, Mamprobi, that Rev. Fr. Christopher Sackey, urged Christians to be instruments of peace in this year’s general elections.
He said it was unfortunate that even with the biometric registration exercise, Ghanaians were beating each other and wondered what would happen on election day itself.
He reminded Ghanaians that they had only one country and indicated that finding oneself in another country as a result of electoral violence would mean that Ghanaians would be deprived of their beautiful nation.
Rev. Fr. Sackey, therefore, urged Ghanaians to maintain the peace and harmony they currently enjoyed so that the country would remain peaceful after the elections.
Touching on the essence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he wondered if Christians would continue in the light of the risen Christ or go back to the bad lifestyles they led before Easter.
“Let the power of the resurrection take away envy, greed, corruption and all the bad things that was associated with us before Christ died and rose for our sake so that His resurrection will be proclaimed by the lives we lead”, he said.
Preaching the sermon at the Osu St Peter’s Catholic Church where 30 new believers were baptised into the Catholic Church and 60 others received first Communion, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Dominic Amegashiti, noted that the resurrection of Christ meant that darkness had been conquered forever and, therefore, urged Christians to let Christ live in their hearts and minds.
He explained that the joy of Easter was peace, hence the need for Christians not to only live in peace but let the peace of Christ manifest in their lives, particularly towards their neighbours.
In his sermon on Good Friday, Rev. Ernest N. A. Aryeetey of the Rev Henry Wharton Methodist Church in Accra, admonished Christians to live in humility, reports Rosemary Ardayfio.
He said the death of Christ was a sacrificial act that was accomplished in humility for a good purpose.
Rev. Aryeetey explained that Jesus Christ had the authority and power which he could have implored to prevent him from the pain he went through before his death, but he chose not to “show off” this power.
He called on the congregation to serve the church well in whatever capacity they were called upon to do as that would not only help the growth of the church, but would in turn help in the spiritual benefits to the congregation.
Kwame Asare Boadu reports that churches in Kumasi were filled to capacity today as Christians marked Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Cathedral, the Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, led the congregation in prayer for the renewal of faith and social change expected in the country.
Touching on the December general elections, he called on citizens of voting age to register in their numbers and vote for God fearing people on election day.
Emphasising that the resurrection was the cornerstone of the Christian hope, the Bishop said, “ Let our lives show that we are indeed followers of Christ.”
He called for tolerance for one other’s views to ensure that the nation progressed on a united front.
Preaching the sermon at the Arch Cathedral of the Action Chapel at Abrepo, the resident pastor, Rev. James Nana Ofori-Atta, urged Christians and indeed all Ghanaians to cultivate the spirit of forgiveness.
He stated that the main reason why Christ died for mankind and later rose from the dead was for God to forgive “us our sins.”
Quoting extensively from he scriptures, Rev. Ofori-Atta said “If you cannot forgive one of his sins God will also not forgive you your sins.”
He used the occasion to advise politicians to ensure a protected Ghana before, during and after the December general election.
From the Mount Olivet Methodist Church at Dansoman, Charles Benoni Okine, reports about a massive congregation of Christians who thronged the church to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
Clad mostly in white apparels, the congregants waved white handkerchiefs as they danced to melodious tunes provided by both the resident church choir and the Olivet Voices which sang both local and international gospel tunes.
In a sermon, the Very Reverend George Mensah, the superintendent Minister asked Christians to have strong faith in the Lord in all their dealings to ensure success.
“Whether in the reading of the Bible or in your marital life or at your work place, have faith that it shall come to pass and the will of God will be done”, he advised.
The Bishop of the Lighthouse chapel, Bishop Dag Heward Mills in his Easter message said it was imperative for Christians to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross for mankind, reports Marian Ansah.
Quoting from Deuteronomy 21 onwards, he said it was imperative for Christians who had given their lives to Christ to stop murmuring, be obedient to their superiors, avoid immorality and stop idolatory.
Bishop Heward Mills affirmed that Jesus Christ was divine and different in that he was able to heal the sick and perform a lot of signs and wonders.
Chastity, he said, was supposed to be the attitude of evey true Christian.
Albert Sam reports from Tema that Mr Kwei Mensah Ashidan, a lay preacher, told the congregation of the Calvary Methodist Church in Tema Community Three that the message of Easter for Christians was that death could not hold Jesus Christ in the grave.
He said by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, mankind was justified in the sight of God.
“By our sins, He was crucified and, therefore, with this crucifixion and resurrection, mankind attained a new level in the sight of God”, he said, adding that Christians needed to resolve never to sin again.
From the Ablaze Chapel International at Abeka Lapaz in Accra, Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho reports that Apostle Dan Clad, the General Overseer of the church who preached on “The written book of life” admonished Christians to emulate Jesus in all their endeavours.
He said the resurrection of Jesus Christ offered Christians an inheritance which was incorruptible and did not fade away.
He therefore called on Christians not to live for the praise of men but lead lives that would be rewarded by God, saying that an eternal reward was awaiting the children of God.
At the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Awoshie, the youth performed a sketch on the resurrection of Christ, reports Rebecca Kwei.
Giving the homily, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Acquaye, said the resurrection of Christ should inject a new energy in Christians to transform their lives.
He said this transformation which comes with power and enthusiasm should make them bold to proclaim and witness the joy of the resurrection and renew the face of the earth.
Rev. Fr. Acquaye acknowledged that some people may be going through persecution and difficulties but said “Christ has given a new purpose to live again. He rose from the dead 2000 years ago and He is alive everyday in our lives”.
From Sekondi/Takoradi, Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu reports that the need for peace and tolerance, brotherliness in an election year was the theme of most sermons in churches within the metropolis.
The preachers expressed the hope that God will be on the side of the country and everything would go on well during, before and after the general election in December this year.
At the Holy Fire Revival Ministries International, Bishop Reginald Ofori Twumasi challenged the congregation and the entire Christian family in Ghana to demonstrate the love of God by holding the peace in the face of stiff provocation.
He called for the demonstration of resurrection power of Jesus Christ which he demonstrated on the cross to save mankind.
At the Jubilee Park at West Tanokrom where the Church of Pentecost converged, Pastor Elijah Kesse called for peace and tolerance whiles preaching on the theme, “I shall not die but live.”
Betty Oforiwaa Agu reports from the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Madina while Good Friday was marked in solemn atmosphere Easter Sunday was commemorated amidst singing and dancing.
The Resident Minister of the church, Reverend John Hammond, preached on Good Friday on the theme, “Christ our example of suffering” with the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Asante preached the sermon on Easter Sunday.
Most Reverend Asante, who is also the chairman of the National Peace Council, said the resurrection of Christ was a symbol of reconciliation of God with man.
“As Christians, you must stand for justice, peace, unity and the interest of the nation,” he said.
At the Trinity Parish of the Global Evangelical Church at Kotobabi in Accra, the Parish Pastor, Rev Dr Francis F.K. Abotchie, in a message entitled ‘The Empty Tomb’ said the tomb which could not hold Jesus Christ indicated that there was nothing that could hold Christians captive if they lived in holiness, reports Seth J. Bokpe.
The resurrection of Christ, he indicated, did not only fulfill the scriptures but also gave Christians a new life and purpose.
Rev Dr Abotchie, therefore, urged all Christians to eschew vices that would keep them from God and renew their commitment to God’s word.
Mary Ankrah also reports that members of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star Church in Accra marked the resurrection of Jesus Christ with confession of sins.
Preaching on the theme: “Christ the sacrificial Lamb”, the priest, Senior Christ Servant Priscilla Mensah established that the death and resurrection of Christ was to reunite mankind with God but unfortunately man continued to crucify Him because mankind was still indulging in sin and evil.
She said the significance of Christ’s resurrection would be much felt if only Ghanaians abandoned sin and urged them to live a holy life unto God.
From Wa in the Upper West region, George Folley reports that a five-day Easter Convention by the Wa area of the Church of Pentecost ended today at the Jubilee Park.
The convention which attracted all members in the twenty districts of the church in the region was on the theme “It is finished”.
As part of the convention, various professionals were invited to give talk on environmental cleanliness, health issues and skill training among others.
In a closing sermon the Wa area head of the church, Reverend Samuel Antwi, stressed the need for Ghanaians to be tolerant of one another.
He said Ghanaians were noted for peace and therefore this year being an election year, should see Ghanaians united as one people with a common destiny.
He led the congregation to pray for peaceful election and economic prosperity for the country.
At the Reverend Paul Adu Methodist Church also in Wa, 16 adults were confirmed and accepted into the church while 15 others were baptized.
The superintendent minister in charge, Very Reverend Samuel C. Hagan, called on Christians to lead lifestyles worthy of emulation.
From the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua, A. Kofoya Tetteh reports that while the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches marked the occassion with many conventions, the Orthodox churches organised church services.
At the Christ the King Methodist Church at Nsukwao, a suburb of Koforidua, the Minister in charge, Very Rev Gordon Egyir, asked Ghanaians, especially Christians not to spend lavishly on the death at the expense of the living poor.
Basing the sermon on numerous biblical texts, Very Rev Egyir said God frowned on lavish spending on the death and that was why the women who went to Jesus’ tomb with expensive items to preserve his body, did not find his body.
He said it was sad for Ghanaians, especially Christians to neglect their aged parents, while they were alive, only to spend lavishly on their funerals.
Very Rev Egyir, therefore, asked Christians to show mercy and love to one another and help make life comfortable for the needy while alive.
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