May 05, 2020 | Sydney, Australia |
A special Sabbath is being planned—like no other Sabbath in the history of the South Pacific Division (SPD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
On this special Sabbath, thousands of Adventists from around the Division will be united in a way they have never been before. Whether you are in Kiribati or Tonga, Port Moresby or Wellington, you will have an opportunity to be part of this historic initiative.
Scheduled for May 22-23, the event will comprise a Friday evening program, Sabbath school and worship service, and afternoon program—all online and featuring inspiring stories and footage from around the South Pacific. There will be devotionals, worship music, and content for children, youth and families. Messages will be shared by the presidents of the four Unions and SPD institutional leaders.
With the theme of #WeRtheChurch, the focus will be on how the Church is continuing its mission in new and interesting ways despite the lockdown measures driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPD president Glenn Townend will be presenting the Sabbath sermon as well as co-hosting the event with children’s ministries leader Litiana Turner.
“I’m really looking forward to this special Sabbath event,” Townend said. “We may be geographically dispersed around the Division and many of us are in isolation, but we are blessed to have digital technology to make this initiative possible.
“This special Sabbath is unprecedented in SPD history, but these are unprecedented times and we are being challenged to come up with new and creative ways of being disciples for Jesus. And the theme is particularly relevant for this time—church is not a building or even a program, we are the church and we are united in finishing its mission.
“I have heard some wonderful stories from around the South Pacific about how Adventists are reaching out to their communities despite the lockdown, and I would like to share a few of these initiatives with you during this special Sabbath.”
Adventist Media is coordinating all the various aspects of the #WeRtheChurch event. More information and a schedule will soon be available at adventistchurch.com.
This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record