1.07.02. The Church's Birthday
THE CHURCH’S BIRTHDAY
Secure the birthday or anniversary of the church, and once each year celebrate the church’s birthday. We have this big day in our church in March each year. Some of the things that we consider important on this day are as follows:
1. A Birthday Cake. Our birthday cake is usually a huge one. The most recent one that we had weighed over five hundred pounds and was quite expensive; however, smaller cakes may be used effectively.
One thing to note in making the cake is that you may make the cake appear to be much larger than it is by building a form and putting cake around it. Much of it may be wood with icing over it, which makes it look larger.
We have made it a practice each year to raise money to pay for the cake apart from the church budget. It has long been our conviction that the money given in tithes and offerings should be used for spreading the Gospel; hence, there are ways, such as special offerings, whereby money for the birthday cake may be raised. This is advisable in many churches where this idea has been used.
Another idea for the cake is that it may be designed in various shapes. One year ours was a cross and a Bible. The most recent and the largest cake that we have used was a replica of our church buildings. This was the most popular cake that we have ever used.
2. The Candles. One way we promote attendance on our birthday is by mailing a letter to each person enrolled in our Sunday school the week preceding the birthday. A small birthday candle is enclosed in each letter. Each member is asked to bring his candle to Sunday school on Sunday morning. The candles may be collected dur-ing Sunday school and turned in with the records. Then, they are all placed on the cake at the same time. Be sure that each child is mailed a candle. It gives an incentive to come to the birthday party, when they will have their own candles placed on the cake.
Many times attendance goals are set for each class or department. We have large candles available for each teacher or department who reaches the goal. At the close of the Sunday school hour, after everyone is assembled in the auditorium, just before the morning service, the teachers or superintendents who reached their goals are recognized. They light their large candles and place them on the cake. The candles are blown out by the deacons, as the congregation sings "Happy Birthday."
3. In the Afternoon. On our "Birthday Sunday" the church meets outside someplace in the afternoon, or perhaps in a community house, to eat the cake. The drinks are usually provided by some of the members or by a special offering.
It is a good time of fellowship as the members get together and eat cake, with some soft drinks. Usually we have so much cake because of the size that ours have been, that many members take home a pound or so with them.
4. Special Guests. On the church’s birthday celebration it is always good to invite people who are acquainted with the founding of the church and the early days of the church’s history, to come in to give testimonies about the church. Converts may also be recognized, as well as charter members. This is not only a good day for remembering the history of the church, but also to make vows for the future.
5. Birthday Party Letter:
Please Come to the Big Birthday Party of the Miller Road Baptist Church This Sunday, March 13th,
9:45 A. M.
You will have "loads of fun" if you will do the following:
1. Bring the enclosed CANDLE with you to Sunday school so we can put it on our huge 200 pound cake!
2. Be here, by all means, at 9:45 to help us reach our attendance goal of ". . . 1003 on the day we’Revelation 3:1-22 . . . ."
3. Be at the Community House at 5:00 p. m. where we will serve our cake.
4. Be in training union at 6:30 p. m. to hear Dr. Fred Schwarz, a noted authority on Communism.
5. BY ALL MEANS, be here in time for Sunday school . . .
SPECIAL RECOGNITION will be given in the preaching service to each class or department reaching their goal.
See you at the party . . .
SUNDAY 9:45!