On this year's Double Ninth Festival which appreciates the elderly, Shishi Church of China's southeastern-coastal Fujian Province held a thanksgiving service for the senior over 70 years old.
The church made preparations for this service in advance. On the early morning of last Sunday which the Chinese traditional festival fell on, the elderly believers also eagerly looked forward to it, coming to the second floor of the church. Wearing neat clothes, they greeted with each other and gave thanks for the Lord's protection. They took pictures with the serving staff after having red flowers pinned on them.
At 9 am, the elderly sat in the middle two rows of the sanctuary, and the service began with the hymn, "Holy Trinity". Hosted by Deacon Cai Meiya, Pastor Su Shue preached and the united choir sang the hymn, “Respecting the Elderly".
Four hundred and eighty people attended, and more than 80 were over the age of 70. Based on Ephesians 6:1-4, Pastor Su shared a sermon, encouraging the younger generation to follow the teachings from the Bible of respecting and loving their elders. He encouraged the elderly to live for the Lord with gratitude, to take the burdens of their family and pass them on to the next generation, to do good deeds for outsiders but ask for nothing, and to bless others.
Pastor Huang Daoming delivered a speech on behalf of the church. In his speech, he encouraged the congregation to fear God, show filial respect to parents, and enrich their life needs. He also congratulated the elderly on their health and longevity and wished that the Lord’s love would always be with them. And later he prayed for the food that they shared.
Then Elder Cai Zili made a wish on behalf of the elders and cut the cake that was provided. The elders and deacons distributed the carefully prepared gifts to the elderly who were filled with joy.
At 10:30 am when the service was over, Pastor Huang led the pastors and elders to bless the elderly and the congregation.
At lunch time, the church arranged a dinner for the elderly, and elder Cai Zili made a toast.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
今年重阳节恰逢主日。2020年10月25日上午，石狮基督教堂为70岁以上的老长辈隆重举行敬老节感恩礼拜。
教堂提前就为此次感恩礼拜做了充分的准备，老人们也早早地期盼着,不到八点老人们就陆陆续续地来到了教堂二楼，他们穿上整洁漂亮的衣裳，带着感恩喜悦的心情，彼此交通、彼此感谢主的保守。当服侍人员为老人佩戴上红花，他们纷纷照相留念。
上午9点，佩戴红花的老人们坐在礼拜堂中间两排，感恩礼拜在庄重的《圣哉三一歌》的始礼赞歌中开始。由蔡美雅执事主持，苏淑娥牧师证道，联合诗班献唱《敬老尊长歌》。
参加感恩礼拜有480人，七十岁以上的老人有80余人，苏牧师以《敬老节的两个勉励》为题，分享以弗所书6：1-4，勉励晚辈在家里、社会上要遵行圣经的教导，尊重敬爱长辈；勉励长辈对自己要心存感恩为主而活，对家人心存负担，交棒传承，对外人要有所为，无所求，祝福人。
黄道明牧师代表教会致辞。致辞中勉励会众当敬老孝亲，敬畏上帝，以感恩的心孝敬父母，丰富老年人的生活所需，祝贺老年人，健康长寿、主爱永在。并在蛋糕前祝谢祷告。
接着蔡自力长老代表长辈许愿并切蛋糕。长执分发教会精心预备的礼物。接到礼物的老年人个个脸上都洋溢着喜乐与祝福。
十点三十分，礼拜结束，由黄道明牧师率领石狮教堂牧师长老为众老人和会众祝福。
中午12点，教会安排了敬老感恩聚餐。蔡自力长老致敬酒辞。 http://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/54007
记2020年石狮基督教堂敬老节感恩礼拜
On this year's Double Ninth Festival which appreciates the elderly, Shishi Church of China's southeastern-coastal Fujian Province held a thanksgiving service for the senior over 70 years old.
The church made preparations for this service in advance. On the early morning of last Sunday which the Chinese traditional festival fell on, the elderly believers also eagerly looked forward to it, coming to the second floor of the church. Wearing neat clothes, they greeted with each other and gave thanks for the Lord's protection. They took pictures with the serving staff after having red flowers pinned on them.
At 9 am, the elderly sat in the middle two rows of the sanctuary, and the service began with the hymn, "Holy Trinity". Hosted by Deacon Cai Meiya, Pastor Su Shue preached and the united choir sang the hymn, “Respecting the Elderly".
Four hundred and eighty people attended, and more than 80 were over the age of 70. Based on Ephesians 6:1-4, Pastor Su shared a sermon, encouraging the younger generation to follow the teachings from the Bible of respecting and loving their elders. He encouraged the elderly to live for the Lord with gratitude, to take the burdens of their family and pass them on to the next generation, to do good deeds for outsiders but ask for nothing, and to bless others.
Pastor Huang Daoming delivered a speech on behalf of the church. In his speech, he encouraged the congregation to fear God, show filial respect to parents, and enrich their life needs. He also congratulated the elderly on their health and longevity and wished that the Lord’s love would always be with them. And later he prayed for the food that they shared.
Then Elder Cai Zili made a wish on behalf of the elders and cut the cake that was provided. The elders and deacons distributed the carefully prepared gifts to the elderly who were filled with joy.
At 10:30 am when the service was over, Pastor Huang led the pastors and elders to bless the elderly and the congregation.
At lunch time, the church arranged a dinner for the elderly, and elder Cai Zili made a toast.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Fujian Church Holds Thanksgiving Service on Double Ninth Festival
