Celebration Schedule
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FRIDAY
SEP 6th
4:00 –
Registration
(Foyer|Porch)
Registration for the event is necessary to ensure that we can provide sufficient food and refreshments, space and parking for those attending. The process will begin online with a ticketing process that we hope will encourage an early commitment to attend.
Praise and Harmony Weekend
Keith Lancaster is our special guest and will involve our congregation in his important Praise and Harmony Weekend, which involves special workshops, a Songfest open to all and a powerful worship service to culminate the weekend.
Friday evening kicks off workshops with sessions exclusively for invited guests. Special invitations will be extended to elders, ministers, song leaders, and others - those who have a close affiliation to us and who plan or facilitate worship, including those who coordinate prayer leaders, communion talks and the like. In this session, we will cover principles as they relate to worship planning. We will involve everyone in this process, particularly as it relates to singing and participating in worship, given the focus of our anniversary weekend, thus the separate workshops for all.
5:00 – 6:00 pm (Fri., 9/6)
Worship Leaders Workshop (English)
Leader: Keith Lancaster (Acappella Min.)
(Auditorium)
5:15 – 6:15 pm (Fri., 9/6)
Children’s Song Class
Leader: LaToya Williams
(Rm. 221)
5:30 – 6:30 pm (Fri., 9/6)
Women’s Song Workshop (Eng.| Sp.)
Leader: Beth Barns
(Rm. 121)
6:00 – 7:00 pm (Fri., 9/6)
Worship Leaders Workshop (Spanish)
Leader: Jake Jones (Acappella Min.)
(Auditorium)
7:30 – 10:00 pm (Fri., 9/6)
Kick-Off – Feast of Blessing Fellowship
Caterer: Joel Ortiz (Catering Staff of Renowned Salamander Resort Hotel – FC Member)
(Fellowship Hall)
We are joining together in fellowship to properly thank and glorify God by dedicating this time to prayer to and thanksgiving of God for the blessing of 75 years of service in this place. We will have a main prayer and several focused prayers led by the leadership and youth of the congregation. We will enjoy a catered meal as part of this fellowship.
Songfest
Saturday, September 7th Keith Lancaster & Company
(Auditorium)
SongFest opens on Saturday, offered in three sessions: (i) an English session, followed by lunch; (ii) a combined English-Spanish session; and (iii) a Spanish-only session. We seat the participants in sections, determined by voice part, and actively continue developing our singing. While we will enthusiastically invite area churches to attend, we will undertake a more robust effort to ensure that our entire congregation participates, especially the self-proclaimed “non-singers” and “non-musicians.” The more participation we have, the greater the long-term benefits in singing will be for our congregation.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Songfest (English)
Song Leader: Keith Lancaster
(Auditorium)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Lunch (Food truck/s) (Registration closes)
(Foyer, Porch & Lawn)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Songfest (Eng./Sp.)
Song Leaders: Keith Lancaster and Jake Jones
(Auditorium)
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Snack Break
(Foyer)
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Songfest (Spanish)
Song Leader: Jake Jones
(Auditorium)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Sat., 9/7)
75 Year Oral History – Panel Discussion
Photographic Deck for Display
Moderator: Bill Kincaid
(Fellowship Hall)
As a counterbalance to our future-focused anniversary, we will join in fellowship for a traditional time of joyous remembrance focusing on our favorite times and favorite people, as we review on the big screen a wonderfully assembled collection of photographs. Refreshments provided.
4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
Gift Bag Distribution
(Foyer)
6:00 pm (Sat., 9/7)
Welcome Dinner – A Future Built on Hope
Perspective: Jordon Arnold
1 Samuel 7:12
(Fellowship Hall and Tent)
To commemorate God’s victory for the Israelites over the Philistines, upon the loss of the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines at Ebenezer, and the miraculous return of the Ark and the Israelites’ repentance before God’s victory, the Bible says, “Samuel took a stone and set it up […] He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” 1 Sam. 7:12 (NIV). God’s blessing inaugurated for Israel a period of blessing and protection from the Philistines during the life of the prophet Samuel.
A beacon of truth and light over the last 75 years, FCCOC is poised to continue her path of excellence and service, guided by hope! The enemy has certainly attacked us with surprises – --Covid, for example! Ours is a faithful God, nonetheless, whose love endures forever,
After glorifying and celebrating the LORD's faithfulness in "Songfest," our weekend's events continue Saturday night, as we "raise up an Ebenezer." FC's Pulpit Minister Jordan Arnold will reprise the Ebenezer stone as our hope of kingdom advancement into the future.
9:30 am – 12:30 pm (Sun., 9/8)
Bible Classes & Worship Services
(Fellowship Hall | English and Spanish)
There will be a special, hybrid class pulling together all adult, college, and teen Sunday School classes into one combined class and discussion forum.
Our worship will be a special combined service in English and Spanish
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Sun., 9/8)
Fellowship of the Faithful Luncheon
Caterer: SureFire Catering
(Fellowship Hall and Tent)
(Introduction of 75 Days of Service)
The weekend will culminate in one beautiful, wonderful fellowship in which we all unify in celebration of the Lord and reflect on the glorious sounds and times of the last 75 years and the events of the weekend and look forward, more importantly, to God’s blessings in a hope-filled future. Thank God!
We are delighted to invite you to the 75th anniversary celebration of the Church of Christ in Falls Church! From Friday, September 6th to Sunday, September 8th, we will gather to commemorate our journey of faith, love, and community.
Under the banner "The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength – Nehemiah 8:10," we come together to honor our rich history and look forward to a future filled with promise.
"Celebrating 75 Years of Praise, Love & Vision for Eternity"
Join us for a weekend of inspiring workshops, uplifting song leading by Keith Lancaster and Company of Acappella Ministries, a vibrant Songfest in both English and Spanish, heartfelt prayers, fellowship, and delicious food. This momentous occasion is a testament to the enduring spirit of our congregation and our unwavering faith in God's plan for us. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!