Oluwaseun Ajayi
The Choir of The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, Lagos, celebrated her 30th anniversary with praise songs at a special service on Sunday, November 19, 2017.
With classical, solo, contemporary and modern songs performed to commemorate this year’s festival which was held at the Cathedral Church’s auditorium in Aga in Ikorodu, the celebration lived up to its billings.
The Anniversary was themed, ‘Lord, You Have Been Our Dwelling Place Through All Generations’.
The service featured the old Choristers Special Presentation, pre-Concert, Concert, Instrumental Display, and wonderful solo performance by great musicians such as Dr. Philip Bello (I Praise your Name), G.F Handel (are truest), Caleb Simpler (the Lord is righteous), W.A Mozart (Alleluia), Kayode Bilewu (Igbala re to fun wa), S.A Makinde (ewa bawa yo, kole baje) and many more.
Mr Adelabu A. Olumide, the Organist/Choirmaster, in his welcome address said, “I count it a great privilege of our time to play host to all our guests and visitors from different walks of life who have come to grace this occasion with elation and exhilaration”, he said while welcoming the guests.
“My deepest appreciation goes to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, our Saviour Jesus Christ, for making this day a reality. You may not know it, but God has already answered these questions in the Bible”, he stated.
According to him, “The Seven reasons below answer these questions and unpack more important truth about singing in the life of an individual and the Church”.
“The seven Biblical reasons why singing matters are, ‘When you sing, you obey – Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18-19; ‘ When you sing, you dig roots in the world – Colossians 3:16’; ‘When you sing, you build up others – Ephesians 5:19’; When you sing, you make war – Colossians 3,; When you sing, you are spiritually strengthened for trial – Acts 16:25’; ‘When you sing, you walk a God designed pathway to job – Psalm 5:11,; ‘When you sing, you glorify God – Ephesians 5:19’. To parents, guardians, husbands, wives, of Choristers, thank you all for your understanding”, Mr Adelabu explained while appreciating the guests.
One of the fraternal greetings sent and received in commemoration of the 30th anniversary was from Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, which reads ” We offer our congratulations as you celebrate Thirty years in the ministry of music and Hymnody in the worship of our Saviour, Jesus Christ”.(The greeting was stated in the letter signed by The Rev. Robert A. Canham, Secretary of The Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland).
The celebration ended in a grand style as the medium was used to invite everyone to the Cathedral Church’s Xmas Carol of Nine (9) Lessons on December 17, 2017, holding at the church’s auditorium at Aga junction, Ikorodu.
