This list gives you Bible readings for church anniversaries, whether you are marking a congregation’s founding, a pastor’s years of service, or a building’s dedication. The passages below are chosen for worship services, small group gatherings, and quiet remembrance. They share a common thread: they look back at God’s faithfulness across generations and point forward to the work still ahead.
Remembering What God Has Already Done
Anniversaries invite a congregation to look back. The first passages here recall the mighty acts of God and call the people to tell the story to the next generation.
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.
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This verse speaks of handing down the praises of the Lord to the coming generation. On an anniversary, read it aloud and then invite someone who remembers the early years to share one story with someone who joined recently.
Deuteronomy 6:20-21
20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD our God has commanded you mean?” 21 then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand…
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Israel’s children ask what the old stories mean, and the answer is to tell how the Lord brought them out. Use this reading to prompt a simple question at the service: what did God do here that we should never forget?
Joshua 4:6-7
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in the future, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’ 7 then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the LORD’s covenant. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’”
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Joshua set up stones at the Jordan so that future families would know what happened there. Consider placing a memorial stone, plaque, or photo wall in the church entrance as a physical reminder of the years behind you.
Gratitude for Faithful People
Many anniversaries honor people as well as years. These verses give thanks for those who served, taught, prayed, and kept the lights on through quiet seasons.
Philippians 1:3-5
3 I thank my God whenever I remember you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, 5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now…
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Paul thanks God for his partners in the gospel from the very first day. Name a few longtime members in your anniversary bulletin and thank God for their partnership, not just their effort.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
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This verse urges us to remember leaders who spoke God’s word and to consider the outcome of their lives. Invite a former pastor or founding family to be recognized, and let their faith be the focus rather than their titles.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
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Paul remembers the Thessalonians in his prayers and recalls their work of faith and labor of love. Ask the congregation to write one word of thanks on a card for someone who has served faithfully, and read a few aloud.
Looking Ahead in Hope
A milestone is also a doorway. These passages turn the congregation’s gaze toward the next chapter, trusting that the God who was faithful yesterday will be faithful tomorrow.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. 23 They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
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Even in a book of grief, the writer declares that God’s mercies are new every morning. Read this at the close of your celebration to remind people that every year begins again with fresh grace.
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
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God calls the people to notice the new thing he is doing, not dwell only on the past. Pair this reading with a prayer for the coming year’s ministries, naming specific needs in your community.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 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, 21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
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Paul praises a God who can do far more than we ask or imagine, and he ends with glory to God in the church. Close the anniversary with this blessing so the people leave expecting God to work in the years to come.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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The writer surrounds believers with a cloud of witnesses and calls them to run with endurance. Use this verse to remind the congregation that the church’s history is a race passed from one generation to the next.
How to Use These Verses
Choose two or three readings for the anniversary service, and let them shape the flow rather than filling every slot. The Deuteronomy and Joshua passages work well near the start, when you are telling the church’s story. The Lamentations and Ephesians readings suit the closing moments. You can also print the references on a card for each family to keep.
Read the passages slowly in the days before the event, and pray through them with your leadership team. Ask God to help you hold gratitude and humility together, honoring what was built while staying open to what he wants next.
A Short Prayer for Church Anniversaries
Lord, we thank you for the years you have given this church. You were faithful when the first members gathered, and you have been faithful through every season since. Help us remember your works with honest gratitude, and help us honor the people who gave their time, money, and prayers to keep this family going.
As we look ahead, give us courage for what is coming and humility to receive your guidance. May the next generation find in us a faith worth passing on. Amen.
