Anglican faithful of St. Philip’s Church, Marine Base have been admonished to rise up and strengthen their hands to building of the church of God which they have started, as the church building is a good project.
The Bishop, Diocese of the Niger Delta, Rt. Rev’d Ralph Cornelius Ebirien JP gave the admonition while delivering a sermon during a service for the foundation laying of the church.
Bishop Ebirien lauded the members of St. Philip’s for the courage to commence the project in the midst of scarce resources and urged other parishes to emulate the faith and standard of St. Philip’s.
Preaching from Nehemiah Chapter 2:17, 18 and 1 Chronicles 29:5, Bishop Ralph enjoined the faithful to give willingly, pray continuously and render such other service for the advancement of the work of the lord and appealed for brotherly love amongst brethren.
The foundation laying of the church, however coincided with the thanksgiving and celebration of St. Philip’s anniversary crusade which began from Monday 2nd May, 2016 through Sunday 8th May, 2016 held at the church auditorium.
High point of the weeklong anniversary programme was the formal foundation laying of the church performed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev’d Ralph Cornelius Ebirien.
Present at the event were, Ven. S.I Tamuno, Revd Cannon John Ubulom, curate of St. Cyprain’s Church Mrs. Miebaka Abbey-Kalio amongst others.
In another development, the bishop had called on the children of late Rev’d Canon Walter Dede Nelson to be responsible beneficiaries of the gains of the church by continuing in the good legacy, discipline and the way of the lord inculcated in them by their late father.
The call was contained in a sermon at the burial rite for late Rev’d Canon Walter Dede Nelson by the Diocesan, who used the service to enjoin Parents to instill discipline into their children while they are alive, pointing out that the attitude where children are no longer respecter of elders in the society must stop. He condemned the arbitrary use of the gun by children and appealed to the congregation to have a change of heart as provision for food and shelter are not only responsibilities of parents rather to instill discipline that would ensure better living now and the future.
Speaking on the topic “Be Prepared” taken from Philippians Chapter 4:8, Bishop Ebirien encouraged the congregation to ensure that people rejoice on the day of their death as it was on the day of their birth days, pointing out that the day of one’s encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest day in life, while appealing for preparation for a celebrated life. He encouraged the congregation to emulate late Canon Nelson who trained and directed his children in the way of the Lord Jesus, adding that setting one’s mind on things that are pure produces longer life while attributing the randomly inscription “gone so soon” to setting one’s mind on worldly things.
The burial ceremony was graced by numerous clergymen of the Anglican Communion, well wishers and Politicians such as Ven. A.A.Ogbidor and wife, Ven. S.L.G. Nteile, Ven. E.N.P Ene- Nte, Ven. S.F. Ifuyok (Rtd), Rev. Can Igu, Rev. Canon A.G. Eli, Rev. Canon A. A. Ijong- Ama, Rev. A. I. Ene-nte, Eld. (Hon) Samson G. Egop, Dr. Romnsan Dressman, Sir, Chf. Clifford Njah, Hon. Emmanuel Eneyo amongst others. ###
