As this year's Double Ninth Festival falls on October 11, churches across the country held Sunday services, praise meetings, and other activities to honor the elderly in the past week.
Double Ninth Festival (September 9 on the lunar calendar) originates from the Warring States of China, whose true meaning is to pay respect to ancestors, the elderly and be grateful. It has been passed down since firstly being set as a national festival in Tang Dynasty.
Jinsha Church in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, held a Sunday service on October 6. Rev. Qiu Cheng delivered a sermon titled "Talking About 'Filial Piety' During the Double Ninth Festival," encouraging believers to honor their father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise.) He emphasized that when it comes to filial piety, one should not wait but start now, to avoid regret when "the desire to show filial piety arises, but the parents are no longer there." After the sermon, church staff distributed gifts to the elder believers, followed by the Holy Communion.
In Dongkeng Village, Banzi Town, Pinghe County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, an event was conducted to honor over 170 elders with respect in the village who are over eighty years old and cared for on October 6, reported the Pinghe County Christian Council. Volunteers from the church brought over 20,000 yuan worth of rice and cooking oil to the Party-Mass Service Center in Dongkeng Village.
Beijing CC&TSPM reported that diverse churches in the city have held a series of activities in honor of the elderly. On October 9, Gangwasi Church in Beijing held its annual Double Ninth Festival service, with four elderly believers sharing testimonies of gratitude. That day was also the church's social service day, where 168 people were served. Twelve volunteers offered free services to the elderly, including haircuts, blood pressure checks, acupuncture, legal consultations, and psychological counseling. On the same day, Senior Pastor Wen Taihao of Beijing Qiandaying Church and Senior Pastor Yin Linshan of Beijing Mentougou Church led their staff members to visit the faith-based Amity Elderly Care Home to show their care. The pastoral staff washed the feet of nearly 40 elderly people and put new socks on them.
Yaodu District CC&TSPM in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, launched an activity to respect the elderly with sinicized sacred music on October 9, inviting over 100 elders from urban and rural churches, all over seventy years old. Five well-known local music teachers were present to provide guidance. Rev. Huang Hailin, director of Linfen TSPM, delivered a themed sermon titled "Respect the Elderly and Honor Parents While Singing the Song of Life." He stated that respecting and honoring the elderly was an opportunity for blessing and that those who did so possessed godly character traits. Afterward, more than 80 members of the church choir performed songs with ethnic characteristics, including "Love Linfen, Win the Future," a song with a local flavor. Additionally, "The Sacred Teachings Are Passed Down Like the Continuous Kindling of Fire," a song written by Rev. Huang Hailin and composed by Deacon Liu Yajing, was performed. A choir of over 40 elders also sang hymns.
On October 10, Beichen Church in Yunnan held a gathering for the Double Ninth Festival, with about 130 elders attending. Rev. Jing Yicheng preached on "The Example of Caleb," gifts were given to the elders after the icebreaker games.
The Joshua Senior Fellowship at Wenhua Road Church in Pulandian District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, held its annual praise meeting especially for the festival at Bethel Church on October 10, attended by more than 500 locals, including over 400 elderly members aged seventy and above. Zhou Fenglou read Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 20:29, delivering a sermon titled "Respect the Elderly and Fear God." This was followed by a talent show presented by the elderly members of the fellowship, featuring 12 singing and dancing performances.
In Guangdong, the Elderly Fellowship of Gospel Church in Dongguan held a celebration featuring interactive activities such as ring toss games and making applique picture frames. Nanshan Church in Shenzhen held a series of activities in honor of the elderly on October 11, said Guangdong CC&TSPM. In Pingshan District, nearly one hundred believers visited the Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall and a congregation gathered at Jiangling Meeting Point for a praise meeting, featuring hymn singing and Bible trivia games. Several churches in Guangzhou held special activities for the Double Ninth Festival, wishing the elderly good health and harmonious families. They encouraged the elderly to live joyful lives and be witnesses to God's goodness in their families.
On October 11, the century-old Hepu Church in Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, held a praise meeting. The main performance featured the Isaac Brass Band from Changle Church, with female members from the church’s morning prayer group singing and dancing. Rev. Zhang Yezhong from Beihai City played the organ and performed calligraphy, writing words of "Rejoice Always." Rev. Ma Cuilian delivered a sermon titled "On Filial Piety," based on Ephesians 6:1-4. She emphasized the importance of honoring parents to receive blessings and live long, which is the first commandment with a promise. She shared that the gospel could be spread through the praise meeting, praying for the Lord to add to the church those who were being saved.
On the same day, the Linwei District Christian Council in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, held a worship service for the festival, with more than 400 participants, including clergy, choir members, and elderly believers aged 70 and above. Elder Yuan Jingping, vice president of the district’s Christian Council, preached a sermon titled "The Beauty of Sunset," encouraging the elderly to enjoy the honor of others. Following this, choir and band members performed instrumental music, dances, skits, and hymns.
On October 13, Agape Church in Chongqing held its annual Double Ninth Festival worship service for elderly believers. During the service, sopme Christians testified to God's grace and wonders. After the service, the church organized a medical fellowship to provide blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as health consultations for believers.
- Edited & translated by Abigail Wu
重阳节临近，全国各地教会举行主日礼拜，赞美会等庆祝。
据金沙堂，10月6日，江苏南通市金沙教堂举行主日圣餐礼拜暨重阳节主日崇拜。邱成牧师以“重阳节谈‘孝’”为题证道。邱牧勉励信徒抓住圣经中这个带应许的祝福，孝敬父母。既然谈“孝”那就不要等，从现在开始；千万不要等到“子欲孝而亲不在”的时候。
证道结束后，接待组同工为长辈信徒分发重阳节礼物，接下来举行圣餐礼。
据平和县基督教协会，10月9日，福建省漳州市平和县坂仔镇东坑村迎来的敬老活动。为村中170余位年逾八旬的长者献上敬意与关怀。
教会的志愿者们将价值2万多元的大米和食用油搬进东坑村委会党群服务中心。
10月9日，临汾市尧都区基督教两会在城区教堂举办了第二届圣乐中国化暨“九九重阳”敬老感恩活动，城乡教会的百余名七十岁以上长者应邀共度节日。5名临汾本土知名音乐老师亲临现场指导。
市基督教三自爱国运动委员会主任黄海林牧师作了题为“传承敬老孝亲，唱响生命赞歌”的主题证道。他说敬老尊长是蒙福的机会；敬老尊长的人有属神的美好道德品质。
此后教会联合诗班80多人登台演唱具有民族特色的歌曲；还有具有临汾本土特色的《爱临汾赢未来》；更有由本堂黄海林牧师作词、刘雅静执事作曲的《圣道薪传》；40多名长者组成的路得诗班献诗。
10月10日，辽宁省大连市普兰店区文化路教堂约书亚老年团契迎来了一年一度的感恩赞美会。
在伯特利教堂内举行，参加活动的父老乡亲有500多人，其中70岁以上的老年肢体有400多人。周凤楼读利未记19章32节和箴言20章29节的经文，以“尊敬老人又要敬畏神”为题。
之后约书亚团契老年人的才艺展示环节，表演了了12个歌唱和舞蹈节目。
据北京市基督教两会，北京市基督教两会各堂点相继开展了一系列敬老感恩活动。
10月9日，北京市缸瓦市堂举行了一年一度的重阳敬老感恩礼拜。期间，有4位年长的信徒作感恩分享。
当天也是缸瓦市堂的社会服务日，共计168人次受到服务。现场有12位信徒发挥各自专长，义务为老人提供理发、量血压、针灸、法律咨询、心理咨询等服务。
同日，市前大营堂主任牧师温太浩、门头沟堂主任牧师尹林山带领同工前往爱德敬老院进行慰问活动。教牧同工为近40位老人洗脚，换上崭新的袜子。
据莞城福音堂，莞城堂长者团契举办了一场重阳节庆祝活动，并开展套圈游戏与相框贴花制作等互动活动。
10月11日具有百余年历史的广西壮族自治区北海市合浦县礼拜堂举行了老年节感恩赞美会。
由常乐教会以撒管乐队演奏为主，教会早祷班姊妹载歌载舞；从北海市赶来的张业忠牧师亲自司琴、现场挥毫书法“常常喜乐”。
马翠莲牧师以主题“论孝道”为主证道，以弗所书六章一至四节证道。她分享要孝敬父母使你得福，在世长寿，这是第一条带应许的诫命。她说到要藉着今天的重阳老年节感恩赞美会传扬福音，求主将更多得救的人加给祂的教会。
据广东省基督教两会，10月11日，深圳市南山堂举办了系列重阳节敬老活动。
当天上午，近一百名信徒参观坪山东江纵队纪念馆。下午，信徒们在坪山江岭点联谊举行了赞美会，开展唱诗、圣经知识抢等活动。
据广州市基督教两会，广州基督教会部分堂点藉重阳节来临之际，特别举办重阳节敬老专题活动。教会祝愿长者们身体安康、家庭和睦美满；以喜乐之心过好信仰生活，作家庭美好的见证。
10月10日北辰教堂举行了重阳节聚会，约130位长者参加。
靖义成牧师证道《迦勒的榜样》，高云芝传道准备了破冰游戏。教会还为长辈们准备了节日礼物。
10月11日，山西省晋城市沁水县基督教各聚会点开展重阳节相关主题活动。各聚会点传道员以敬老主题分享了神的话，并以不同形式表达了对老人的关爱。
10月11日，陕西省渭南市临渭区基督教协会举办重阳节感恩崇拜活动，临渭区基督教会教职人员、诗班、70岁以上的老年信徒400余人参加。区基督教协会副会长员井平长老以“夕阳之美”为题证道，劝勉老年人要珍惜老年的尊荣。随后，诗班及乐队成员以乐器演奏、舞蹈、小品、唱诗等。
10月13日重庆圣爱堂为老年信徒举行了一年一度的重阳节崇拜。崇拜中，基督徒见证了上帝的恩典与奇妙。崇拜结束后，教会组织医务团契为信徒测血压、血糖及健康咨询。
全国教会各地重阳节活动
As this year's Double Ninth Festival falls on October 11, churches across the country held Sunday services, praise meetings, and other activities to honor the elderly in the past week.
Double Ninth Festival (September 9 on the lunar calendar) originates from the Warring States of China, whose true meaning is to pay respect to ancestors, the elderly and be grateful. It has been passed down since firstly being set as a national festival in Tang Dynasty.
Jinsha Church in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, held a Sunday service on October 6. Rev. Qiu Cheng delivered a sermon titled "Talking About 'Filial Piety' During the Double Ninth Festival," encouraging believers to honor their father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise.) He emphasized that when it comes to filial piety, one should not wait but start now, to avoid regret when "the desire to show filial piety arises, but the parents are no longer there." After the sermon, church staff distributed gifts to the elder believers, followed by the Holy Communion.
In Dongkeng Village, Banzi Town, Pinghe County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, an event was conducted to honor over 170 elders with respect in the village who are over eighty years old and cared for on October 6, reported the Pinghe County Christian Council. Volunteers from the church brought over 20,000 yuan worth of rice and cooking oil to the Party-Mass Service Center in Dongkeng Village.
Beijing CC&TSPM reported that diverse churches in the city have held a series of activities in honor of the elderly. On October 9, Gangwasi Church in Beijing held its annual Double Ninth Festival service, with four elderly believers sharing testimonies of gratitude. That day was also the church's social service day, where 168 people were served. Twelve volunteers offered free services to the elderly, including haircuts, blood pressure checks, acupuncture, legal consultations, and psychological counseling. On the same day, Senior Pastor Wen Taihao of Beijing Qiandaying Church and Senior Pastor Yin Linshan of Beijing Mentougou Church led their staff members to visit the faith-based Amity Elderly Care Home to show their care. The pastoral staff washed the feet of nearly 40 elderly people and put new socks on them.
Yaodu District CC&TSPM in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, launched an activity to respect the elderly with sinicized sacred music on October 9, inviting over 100 elders from urban and rural churches, all over seventy years old. Five well-known local music teachers were present to provide guidance. Rev. Huang Hailin, director of Linfen TSPM, delivered a themed sermon titled "Respect the Elderly and Honor Parents While Singing the Song of Life." He stated that respecting and honoring the elderly was an opportunity for blessing and that those who did so possessed godly character traits. Afterward, more than 80 members of the church choir performed songs with ethnic characteristics, including "Love Linfen, Win the Future," a song with a local flavor. Additionally, "The Sacred Teachings Are Passed Down Like the Continuous Kindling of Fire," a song written by Rev. Huang Hailin and composed by Deacon Liu Yajing, was performed. A choir of over 40 elders also sang hymns.
On October 10, Beichen Church in Yunnan held a gathering for the Double Ninth Festival, with about 130 elders attending. Rev. Jing Yicheng preached on "The Example of Caleb," gifts were given to the elders after the icebreaker games.
The Joshua Senior Fellowship at Wenhua Road Church in Pulandian District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, held its annual praise meeting especially for the festival at Bethel Church on October 10, attended by more than 500 locals, including over 400 elderly members aged seventy and above. Zhou Fenglou read Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 20:29, delivering a sermon titled "Respect the Elderly and Fear God." This was followed by a talent show presented by the elderly members of the fellowship, featuring 12 singing and dancing performances.
In Guangdong, the Elderly Fellowship of Gospel Church in Dongguan held a celebration featuring interactive activities such as ring toss games and making applique picture frames. Nanshan Church in Shenzhen held a series of activities in honor of the elderly on October 11, said Guangdong CC&TSPM. In Pingshan District, nearly one hundred believers visited the Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall and a congregation gathered at Jiangling Meeting Point for a praise meeting, featuring hymn singing and Bible trivia games. Several churches in Guangzhou held special activities for the Double Ninth Festival, wishing the elderly good health and harmonious families. They encouraged the elderly to live joyful lives and be witnesses to God's goodness in their families.
On October 11, the century-old Hepu Church in Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, held a praise meeting. The main performance featured the Isaac Brass Band from Changle Church, with female members from the church’s morning prayer group singing and dancing. Rev. Zhang Yezhong from Beihai City played the organ and performed calligraphy, writing words of "Rejoice Always." Rev. Ma Cuilian delivered a sermon titled "On Filial Piety," based on Ephesians 6:1-4. She emphasized the importance of honoring parents to receive blessings and live long, which is the first commandment with a promise. She shared that the gospel could be spread through the praise meeting, praying for the Lord to add to the church those who were being saved.
On the same day, the Linwei District Christian Council in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, held a worship service for the festival, with more than 400 participants, including clergy, choir members, and elderly believers aged 70 and above. Elder Yuan Jingping, vice president of the district’s Christian Council, preached a sermon titled "The Beauty of Sunset," encouraging the elderly to enjoy the honor of others. Following this, choir and band members performed instrumental music, dances, skits, and hymns.
On October 13, Agape Church in Chongqing held its annual Double Ninth Festival worship service for elderly believers. During the service, sopme Christians testified to God's grace and wonders. After the service, the church organized a medical fellowship to provide blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as health consultations for believers.
- Edited & translated by Abigail Wu
Churches in China Celebrate Senior Citizens' Festival
