One of the significant events that churches celebrate is the date of their official birth as a church body. One church in Colorado celebrated their 100th anniversary with a special homecoming weekend that included great music, old-fashioned dress, guest speakers and a spread of delicious food. 

If your church is approaching such a milestone (however often you choose to do it) here are some tips that may be helpful.

1. Select a Committee. Depending upon the size your church, you'll need to establish a planning process that handles the details for the entire day or weekend. This is usually best accomplished through a small committee. The committee should develop a preliminary schedule of events that it brings back to the board for review and approval. 

2. Historical Research. Collect all the historical information you can about your church. Visit older members and chronicle some of their early memories. Gather as many pictures as you can find. Also, get a list of pastors from your conference who have served your church.

3. Dialogue and Exchange. After a time and theme is established the planning committee and pastor should dialogue with the worship team about possible ways to incorporate the theme into the Sabbath service. Once the worship team has a feel for the kind of experience being created, they can proceed to plug in the appropriate elements. 

Other Thoughts. Here are some suggestions that may be helpful as you plan.

• Designate a photographer to record your weekend activities. 
• Invite the Conference President to have a part in your service. 
• Secure a well-liked musician or musical group to augment local talent. 
• Create a display of local historical data that coincides with your own history.
• Invite a local community leader to have a part in your weekend. 
• Schedule a health event (vegetarian tasting) for Sunday.
• ]Include your children and youth in the services being planned.
• Invite your Pathfinder club to have a part.
• Create a memory book that includes pictures of charter members and other historical data. 
• Invite your prayer ministry or prayer groups to ask for God's special blessing as plans are laid.