[Name of Church] Anniversary Celebration Timeline
24-18 Months:
- form steering committee
- commission writer for book
- begin raising funds
18-12 Months:
- research history of church
- arrange facilities for banquet and pageant
12-6 Months:
- choose theme
- begin photo/video documentary
- contact former pastors
- commission song and script writers
6-3 Months:
- design banners and bulletin covers
- schedule musicians
3-1 Months:
- fabricate banners
- rehearse pageant or musical
- produce anniversary book
- schedule "memories" speakers
- arrange memorabilia display
- prepare special newsletter
Celebrate Anniversary!
Anniversary Resources
Litany of Praise
Today we celebrate the [year] anniversary of Neland Avenue Church.
Many, O Lord, are thy wonderful works.
For [number of years] years God's Word has been proclaimed in this place.
Many, O Lord, are thy wonderful works.
For [number of years] years the sacraments have been celebrated in this place.
Many, O Lord, are thy wonderful works.
Countless children, parents, and grandparents have been part of Neland Church.
They are more than can be numbered.
Countless prayers of supplication, thanksgiving, and praise have been offered in this place.
They are more than can be numbered.
Countless witnesses have gone out from Neland to spread the gospel in this community and throughout the world.
They are more than can be numbered.
All of our activities,
all of our sacraments,
and all of our doxologies
we offer up in praise to God.
Many, O Lord, are thy wonderful works;
they are more than can be numbered.
With thanksgiving for the past,
with joy in the present,
and with hope for the future
we celebrate this anniversary.
Many, O Lord, are thy wonderful works;
they are more than can be numbered.
New Stanza for "God is Here"
"God is Here" Green
In this time of celebration
we would offer special praise.
As we think of past and future,
vow anew to walk your ways.
Times of triumph, times of failure—
still this song keeps ringing through:
Lord, your works cannot be numbered,
Neland Church* belongs to you.
*alt. text: For our church
Henrietta Ten Harmsel © 1993 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Both the litany and the stanza were written by Henrietta Ten Harmsel, professor emeritus of English from Cabin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and member of Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church.
