The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Creekside resonated with voices of gratitude and introspection on Sunday as Antigua and Barbuda marked the commencement of its 44th Independence celebrations with a Thanksgiving Service. Under the theme “Solid, Stable, Soaring,” the event brought together government officials, religious leaders, and citizens to reflect on the nation’s journey and aspirations. Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, in his address, emphasized the theme as a call for collective reflection and renewal. He highlighted the importance of standing firm on principles such as love for God, mutual respect, and national pride, while remaining focused on the nation’s mission and building on its achievements. The service, attended by Acting Prime Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin, Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, and members of Parliament, featured scripture readings from Isaiah 26 and Matthew 7, which underscored themes of peace, trust in God, and the necessity of a strong spiritual foundation. Pastor Fitzgerald Semper, delivering the sermon, urged citizens to anchor national progress in faith and moral integrity. Using metaphors of ice, cheese, and rock, he illustrated the varying degrees of solidity, asserting that true strength stems from being rooted in God’s unchanging nature. He called on the church to lead by example, the government to foster transparency and unity, and citizens to uphold righteousness in their daily lives. Semper also addressed the political divisions within the church, urging the community to dismantle such barriers to achieve solidarity. He praised initiatives like national prayer days and school devotion services as “solid” efforts, while condemning gambling, drug use, and social division as detrimental to the nation’s stability. The service concluded with prayers for the nation, its leaders, and uniformed officers, as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to celebrate its 44th Independence anniversary on November 1.
Faith, Unity, and Purpose Mark Antigua and Barbuda’s 44th Independence Thanksgiving Service
