County Armagh Grand Orange Lodge holds 2023 Mission

COUNTY Armagh Grand Orange Mission was a tremendous week of inspirational worship and praise!

The week-long mission, organised by County Armagh Grand Orange Lodge, in Tandragee District Orange Hall, was a great success and encouragement.

Large numbers attended the opening service on the afternoon of Sunday, April 23, and then the five evening services, from Monday, April 24 until Friday, April 28.

The parade to and from the opening service was cancelled as a mark of respect due to the very sad funeral taking place in the town at the same time.

The District hall was filled almost to capacity for each of the six services. Indeed, on a couple of evenings, extra chairs had to be provided.

Those present were blessed by the messages in the addresses and the words of the hymns.

The County Grand Lodge wishes to thank all those who attended (some were at each of the services), and also the Worshipful District Master and Officers of Tandragee District LOL No 4 for their full support, help and co-operation.

Particular thanks also to the six County Grand Lodge chaplains for their pastoral vision and commitment and especially for the very clear Gospel messages expounded at the services.

The theme was ‘TRUTH’, with each chaplain taking the titles: ‘Truth of Scripture’; ‘Truth of Sin’; ‘Truth of Rejecting God’; ‘Truth of the Cross’; ‘Truth of Death’; and ‘Truth of Heaven’.

Thanks is also extended to the valued assistance of the 11 District Lodges within County Armagh, who hosted the services and facilitated the arrangements, including the car parking and provision of supper, not forgetting the District lay-chaplains who faithfully read the scripture passages each evening.

Appreciation also goes to the guest soloists and family group who brought the Gospel message in song, and to the six local bands from across the county who provided musical entertainment.

Thanks is also extended to the keyboard accompanists for their high standard of playing for the hymns. The Mission Hymn was ‘Just as I Am’, written by Charlotte Elliott. It first appeared in 1835, in the Christian Remembrancer of which she duly became the editor.

The offering each evening was in aid of ‘Air Ambulance Northern Ireland’ and it will be presented to a representative of that organisation in due course.

A CGL spokesman said, “It was a truly challenging week of Gospel truths which has brought blessings on everyone who participated and attended, having served as a reminder of the Christian ethos and faith in these trying times. John 8:32 says, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.”