An urban church in Linfen, in China’s northern Shanxi Province, reopened on Sunday after being closed for eight months due to COVID-19.
Believers who had reserved their seats came into the entrance to Yaodu District Church before having their passes and identity card checked, and their temperature measured.
Rev. Huang Hailin, secretary-general of the Lifen CC&TSPM, preached a sermon entitled, “We Come to the Temple of Jehovah,” citing Psalm 84 and 122.
After being shut down since late January, the church started to provide live weekly gatherings and Sunday services from February 9.
The congregation and the staff were grateful to again be united in the sanctuary.
The sermon first described the psalmist’s thanks, prayers, and worship of God in his dwelling place. Then the lovely place gave worshipers peace and happiness, strength, and glory. People also asked in a place near God’s altar for blessings for others as the sparrow and swallow found their home.
The second service was held in the afternoon.
- Translated by Karen Luo
9月20日，是圣灵降临后的第十六个主日。在这个不平凡的日子里，防控新冠疫情取得阶段性成果后，经市、区统战、宗教等部门严格检查验收后，山西临汾市尧都区基督教会城区教堂正式恢复礼拜。
一大早，提前已领到印有预约座号卡出入证的的弟兄姊妹，陆续从各地赶来，携带出入证和身份证，接受在教堂门口的同工有序逐一查验、登记、测量体温，而后由服侍引导同工对号入座。
为做好复堂筹备，教会精心筹备，统筹安排，制定了详细方案，市、区统战宗教部门领导多次亲临指导，实地观摩演练，促进了成功通过验收。
自从正月初一至今大家因疫情原因一直未能见面，彼此见面寒暄十分亲切，不尽的牵挂都在朴实问候中。面对重新回归进入装饰一新的礼拜堂，巨大的变化令人目不暇接。暖色的墙面，光亮如新的地板，朱红色的座椅，新改建的圣台，被鲜花绿植点缀，给人耳目一新的感觉。正在教唱的新编赞美诗129首《信徒相爱歌》，使大家沉浸在相聚主前，同蒙主恩、彼此相爱的美好氛围之中。
上午九时三十分，伴随着悠长的七响钟声，感恩崇拜正式开始。本堂谢春兰长老担任主礼，首先问安，以诗篇105：4的经文宣召：“要寻求耶和华与他的能力，时常寻求他的面。”共颂《使徒信经》，宣读启应经文诗篇105篇以及出16：2-15；腓1：21-30；太20：1-16的主日经文。“和散那”诗班身着红色圣服献唱了《主的恩和爱》《最美的天》圣诗。伴着悠扬的琴声，嘹亮的旋律环绕四围，“你是我绝望中的希望，你是我心中最大的平安，你是我穿越风雨的伞，你是我风雨中的期盼，你是我冬天里的春天，是我通向永生彼岸的船……”非常的时刻，难忘的经历，感人的歌词引发了许多人的共鸣。
之后，市两会秘书长黄海林牧师以《我们往耶和华的殿去》为题，以诗篇122篇、诗篇84的经文进行了主题证道分享。一开始，一句“想念大家了”，使不少人眼里泪花盈盈。他首先回顾了今年抗击新冠疫情的经历，习近平总书记亲自指挥，在党和政府大力关心支持下，全国人民众志成城，取得了抗击疫情的阶段性全面胜利，充分体现了中国特色社会主义制度的优越性，展示了政治优势大国担当，增强了民族自豪感。9月18日召开的全国抗击新冠疫情表彰大会上，数名医护人员荣获国家最高荣誉，习近平总书记阐述了伟大的抗疫精神，使每个人深受鼓舞。在疫情期间，为了人民群众健康，临汾市、区基督教认真执行“双暂停一延迟”，在2月9日开始每周二、四、六和主日网络直播证道，受到信徒欢迎。今天终于欢聚圣殿，心中无比感恩。
证道主要分三个方面：一、来到神的殿我就欢喜：向神感谢赞美（诗84：1）；向神欢呼祷告（诗84：2、5）；向神朝见敬拜（诗84：7）；二、神的居所何等可爱：叫人得安乐（诗84：4）；叫人的力量（诗84：7）；叫人的得荣（诗84：10--11）；三、住在神殿里为你求福：“燕子”和“麻雀”宿于神殿（诗84：3--4）；神之院宇心之祭坛；愿平安在我们中间。
市基督教三自爱国运动委员会主任陈丽长老发表致辞，为恢复礼拜而深为感恩，总结了临汾市、区基督教会积极参与为抗击疫情防控所取得的成就，有效防范了因教堂聚会和宗教活动因聚集性疫情，而且积极投身抗疫一线，踊跃捐款捐物，体现了基督徒的时代担当，重视网络牧养福传，有效抵制了异端邪说；并且在疫情期间对教会部分设施进行翻修改造。体现了“神的恩典够用了”和“万事互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处”的鲜活见证。
她最后指出，教会恢复实体礼拜，但疫情防控长期性仍不可掉以轻心，希望大家积极配合自觉做好防控，用实际行动践行圣经教训，践行社会主义核心价值观，爱国爱教荣神益人。希望大家继续为世界和平、国家繁荣、教会复兴恳切献上祷告。阵阵掌声不时在全场响起，表达了大家无比喜悦之情。崇拜在陈丽长老的祝福中结束。
下午又举行了第二场礼拜。
山西临汾市尧都区基督教堂喜迎复堂感恩礼拜
An urban church in Linfen, in China’s northern Shanxi Province, reopened on Sunday after being closed for eight months due to COVID-19.
Believers who had reserved their seats came into the entrance to Yaodu District Church before having their passes and identity card checked, and their temperature measured.
Rev. Huang Hailin, secretary-general of the Lifen CC&TSPM, preached a sermon entitled, “We Come to the Temple of Jehovah,” citing Psalm 84 and 122.
After being shut down since late January, the church started to provide live weekly gatherings and Sunday services from February 9.
The congregation and the staff were grateful to again be united in the sanctuary.
The sermon first described the psalmist’s thanks, prayers, and worship of God in his dwelling place. Then the lovely place gave worshipers peace and happiness, strength, and glory. People also asked in a place near God’s altar for blessings for others as the sparrow and swallow found their home.
The second service was held in the afternoon.
- Translated by Karen Luo
Shanxi Church Reopens after 8 Months
