Centennial Celebration of the Church of the Nazarene: Oct. 5, 2008

Plans for the Centennial Celebration of the Church of the Nazarene will be officially launched by the Board of General Superintendents at the Mission 2007 or M7 Conference in Kansas City, February 19-21. The Church of the Nazarene will reach its 100th anniversary in 2008. To include all Nazarenes worldwide in this historic and strategic milestone, the Centennial will be celebrated in every local church on October 5, 2008, across 24 time zones in 151 world areas. "Out of Many One, Out of One Many," the Centennial Celebration theme, draws on Nazarene heritage and godly commitment to the future of an international church. Jerry D. Porter, chair of the Board of General Superintendents, says, "We are a global family in 151 world areas. This family is enriched by our diversity of cultures, languages, and nationalities. Yet what holds us together as one is greater than the factors that distinguish us. We have one faith, one mission, one call to fulfill the Great Commission and to spread scriptural holiness across the lands. The Centennial invites us to celebrate our diversity and our unity, our message and our mission." The Centennial Sunday affords the unique opportunity to inform new Nazarenes and to celebrate with all Nazarenes our doctrine, core values, and heritage. Extensive celebration resources are being developed for each local church to assist pastors in proclaiming our message and mission. Over 14,000 congregations around the world will be united across space and time on October 5, 2008, by sharing a common framework of scriptures, sermon, music, media, and sacraments. Each church will receive a Centennial Celebration kit with complete resources for the anniversary worship service and options for three Sunday services leading up to the Centennial Sunday. Nazarene Youth International and Children's Ministries have developed ministries and activities for youth and children to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Sunday School Ministries has prepared a special series of four lessons for all age groups to emphasize the core values of the Church of the Nazarene during this month-long emphasis. Lillenas Music of Nazarene Publishing House has produced a Centennial music package with both old favorites and new compositions, including the Centennial theme song "One." Other resources include DVD presentations for adults and for children, aids for celebrating a local church's history, and the Centennial Heritage Award for honoring persons who have played an instrumental role in the history of each church. World Mission is assisting in translation of Centennial resources, and regional coordinators for the Centennial have been appointed on every world region to ensure that the celebration will include the entire Nazarene family. Pastors will receive Centennial Celebration kits from district superintendents early in 2008. More information is available now at www.nazarenecentennial.org. Holiness Today, January/February 2007

 

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