Kunle Adelabu
Still in the spirit of Easter which is a major annual celebration for Christians, The African Church Bethel Cathedral staged the 10th Easter Cantata, in celebration of the death and most importantly, resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The annual celebrations, which marks the triumph of Jesus over death, was an occasion for thanksgiving and praises for the congregants of the cathedral Church, as the celebration was held during the Sunday, April 16, 2023, service.
The Cathedral Organist/Choirmaster, Adelabu Olumide A., conducted all the Choir in all the songs, alongside Mr Olukayode Bilewu, FCA, the Cathedral Organist.
The Revd. Joseph Ayo Fapohunda, the Cathedral Priest, who delivered a sermon at the special Easter Cantata, on the theme, ‘Room At the Cross’, said that the reign of Jesus Christ began properly after his resurrection.
He said that the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross of Calvary goes beyond the day, adding that it’s not significant to Christendom alone, but the entire humanity.
He charged members of the congregation to always endeavor to live life in accordance with the dictate of Jesus.
The Organist/Choirmaster, The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Adelabu Olumide A., PGDE, B.SC, AIPM, in his welcome address, said that the event is being used to celebrate and commemorate the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ with varieties of songs for the congregation’s delight.
“I greet and welcome you all, most especially our invited guests in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to his year’s Easter Cantata, the 10th edition. What a joy to witness another Easter Cantata in this church through the grace of God that has been given through the mercies that is Jesus Christ”, he said.
“According to the gospel, Jesus was resurrected three days after his execution by crucifixion at the hands of Roman authorities. For Christians, this event affirms the divinity of Jesus and stands as a sign of God’s continued presence in the world. On an annual basis, we use this event (Easter Cantata) to commemorate the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ with varieties of songs for your delight.
“Those who have followed the path of Christ through the centuries have understood his life, death, and resurrection as a profound affirmation of God’s presence in the midst of humanity. The “Christ event“, according to many Christians, cannot be understood in the context of the 1st century alone, it is as much as a 21st century event, repeated and renewed daily in the lives of those who take this as the story of their own faith”, he emphasised.
“Let me once again thank the lord for allowing us to be here today as we celebrate this special occasion in the cathedral.
“As we sing and share the songs that bring glory to God, we shall always thank our lord who is in heaven, for the provision. We want to take this opportunity to ask our dear loving father to continue filling us with the knowledge of truth and give us the wisdom and his understanding that we all needed. Let the name of God be praised and glorified forever in Jesus name. Amen”, he said.
Some of the beautiful songs delivered to the admiration of The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, at this year’s Easter Cantata were: ‘Kristi Oluwa ji loni, LLANFAIR 7.7.7.7 with Alleluias in G Major’, ‘Glory, honour, praise, and power in G major, Rev. R. Lowry’, ‘Christ Arose, Robert Lowry in C Major’ and ‘No other Plea, L.H. Edmundt, ‘Arr by Williams J. Kirkpatrick in A Flat Major’.
Also included were: ‘Solo Recit: Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened”, ‘O Happy Day, Edwin Hawkins’, ‘Because He Lives, Resurrection in A flat Major’ and ‘Jesu Ye in E Flat Major, Olukayode Bilewu (collection in aid of the choir).
Others were: ‘How Excellent’, ‘Hallelujah for the Cross, Arr Dr H. Bonar, James McGranaham’, ‘Song of triumph, H. Mason’ and ‘Quartet: Since by Man Came Death in C Major”.
The opening hymn, ‘Come Sing with Holy Gladness, Ellacombe in B Flat Major, also doubled as the Choir anthem for the special service. Others songs sang during the service were taken from African Church Hymn Book (ACHB) 59, ‘Spanish Chant in A Major’ and ACHB 275, ‘Just As I Am D Major’, ACHB 298, Redemption in E Major’, and ACHB 331, ‘Pleading Saviour in F Major and Whither, Pilgrims, are you Going in C Major’.
At the service were The Rt. Revd. Hezekiah A. Adetoro, Bishop, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, Elder Amos Oshin, Trustee Emeritus, Dr Timothy A.G. Okeowo, Trustee, Prince Bayo Ogunleye, former Vice lay President, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, Engr. Afolabi Dixon, chieftain of the Church and Engr. Sunday Adesanya Sunday, the Cathedral People’s Warden.
