Introduction
A church anniversary is a chance to look back with gratitude and forward with hope. Congregations have been planting stones of remembrance since Samuel set up Ebenezer. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into five themes: God's faithfulness through the years, one body in Christ, built on Christ, life together, and thanksgiving and praise. Use them for a bulletin, an anniversary card, a banner or a moment of prayer in the service. Read them aloud together, from the youngest to the oldest, and let the whole church give thanks.
God's Faithfulness Through the Years
1. 1 Samuel 7:12
"Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”"
Samuel set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, saying, the Lord has helped us until now. Anniversaries are stones of remembrance. Look back over the years of your church and name the ways God has helped. Then say together, until now the Lord has helped us. Read all of 1 Samuel 7.
2. Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
The Lord's loving kindnesses never end, his compassion does not fail, and they are new every morning. Churches survive not because of strong leaders or good programs, but because of God's mercy. Thank him for his faithfulness in good years and in the hard ones. Read all of Lamentations 3.
3. Psalm 77:11
"I will remember Yah’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old."
I will remember the deeds of the Lord, and your wonders of old. Anniversaries are for remembering. Gather stories of answered prayer, baptisms, weddings, hard seasons and healed relationships. Tell them in the service or print them in a booklet, and let a new generation hear what God has done. Read all of Psalm 77.
4. Deuteronomy 7:9
"Know therefore that Yahweh your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,"
The Lord your God is the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love him. Your church has a history, but God's faithfulness is older and longer. It was here before the first meeting, and it will outlast every building and leader. Read all of Deuteronomy 7.
5. Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. A church changes: members come and go, styles shift, buildings are renovated. But Jesus does not change. On your anniversary, root your joy in him, the unchanging center, and let that steady you for the years ahead. Read all of Hebrews 13.
One Body in Christ
6. Ephesians 4:4-6
"There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in us all."
There is one body and one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all. Differences of age, background and style are real, but they sit inside a deeper unity. An anniversary is a good day to remember what you share in Christ. Read all of Ephesians 4.
7. Romans 12:4-5
"For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,"
We have many members in one body, and all do not have the same function, yet we are one body in Christ and members of one another. Every role matters, from the greeter to the pastor. Celebrate the many gifts in your church, especially the quiet servants who are rarely thanked. Read all of Romans 12.
8. 1 Corinthians 12:27
"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
You are the body of Christ, and members individually. Say it as a community: this church is not a building or a program, but people who belong to Christ. Consider honoring the long-time members and welcoming the newest ones, so everyone knows they have a place. Read all of 1 Corinthians 12.
9. Ephesians 2:19-22
"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit."
You are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. The church grows into a holy temple. Thank God that he is still building, and that you have a part. Read all of Ephesians 2.
Built on Christ
10. Matthew 16:18
"I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."
Jesus says he will build his assembly, which we call his church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. The church belongs to Christ, and he is its builder. That is good news for any congregation going through challenges. Your anniversary is also a reminder that the Lord keeps his promise. Read all of Matthew 16.
11. 1 Corinthians 3:9
"For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building."
We are God's fellow workers, God's farming and God's building. Every church year is a season of planting, watering and building. Not everything is visible, and not every result is immediate. But the work belongs to God, and you are privileged to share in it with him. Read all of 1 Corinthians 3.
12. Ephesians 1:22-23
"He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Christ is head over all things for the assembly, which is his body. Notice how important the church is to him. Whatever your church's size, history or struggles, it is precious to Christ. Celebrate with that confidence, and pray that your church will live up to what he has made it. Read all of Ephesians 1.
13. 1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness. A church anniversary is not only about the past; it is about the purpose you carry forward. Read all of 1 Peter 2.
Life Together
14. Acts 2:42
"They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer."
The early believers continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. These four habits remain the heartbeat of a healthy church. On your anniversary, ask honestly which of them needs strengthening, and ask God to renew each one. Read all of Acts 2.
15. Acts 2:46-47
"Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved."
Day by day they met together, shared meals with gladness and singleness of heart, praised God, and the Lord added to their number. Joy, hospitality and praise were attractive. Celebrate with a meal, laughter and singing, and let your joy be seen by the neighbors you want to reach. Read all of Acts 2.
16. Hebrews 10:24-25
"Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, and not neglect gathering together, but encourage one another. Church is not a spectator event. Use your anniversary to thank those who encourage others, and to invite those who have drifted away back to the fellowship. Read all of Hebrews 10.
17. Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord."
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. This is a recipe for a joyful church: the word, one another and song. Sing your anniversary together. Read all of Colossians 3.
Thanksgiving and Praise
18. Psalm 126:3
"Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad."
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Say it plainly. Do not be shy about celebrating what God has done in your church. Gladness is not pride when it is directed to him. Let this verse be the opening line of your anniversary celebration. Read all of Psalm 126.
19. Psalm 34:3
"Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together."
Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Praise is better when shared. An anniversary invites the whole church, from toddlers to elders, to lift up God's name in the same room. Make space for testimonies, songs and a time of thanks. Read all of Psalm 34.
20. Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
To him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, be glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations. This is a perfect closing verse. It looks back in praise and forward in faith, asking that God's glory continue in the church for generations to come. Read all of Ephesians 3.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse for a church anniversary?
1 Samuel 7:12, until now the Lord has helped us, fits an anniversary perfectly. Lamentations 3:22-23 and Ephesians 3:20-21 are also popular for banners, bulletins and prayers of thanks.
How can we use Scripture in a church anniversary service?
Open with a reading of Psalm 126:3 or Psalm 34:3, share testimonies of what God has done, and close with Ephesians 3:20-21 as a benediction. You can also display a verse on a banner or in the bulletin.
What does the Bible say about the church as a family?
Ephesians 2:19 says believers are fellow citizens and members of God's household, and Romans 12:4-5 describes the church as one body with many members. These verses highlight belonging, unity and shared purpose.