Ark Covenant Church Celebrates the 1st Anniversary Service
方舟圣约教会成立一周年特别崇拜
2026年6月7日，方舟圣约教会（Ark Covenant Church, PCA）迎来了成立一周年感恩主日。来自教会内外的弟兄姐妹、亲朋好友共齐聚一堂，同心敬拜上帝，见证神过去一年在教会中的信实带领与丰盛恩典。
FAIRFAX, VA — June 7, 2026 — Ark Covenant Church (PCA) joyfully celebrated its first anniversary with a special Thanksgiving Lord’s Day service, gathering members, friends, family, and visitors to worship God together and give thanks for His faithful guidance and abundant grace throughout the church’s inaugural year.
本次周年特别崇拜中，陈牧师以《创世记》第九章诺亚洪水后的立约为经文，分享信息《彩虹下的圣约》。崇拜以中英双语同步进行，讲道中陈牧师重申了方舟教会建立之初所领受的异象：成为一间以基督为中心、以圣约中的门徒训练为导向的教会，坚持大公信仰的认信，并把永远的福音应用在神所量给我们的处境。陈牧师勉励会众，正如洪水后的挪亚一家，神也在困难中将各样的恩典赐给我们，并应许祂的百姓在圣约中与罪争战，实现倍增。方舟教会盼望继续忠心传讲福音、施行圣礼、牧养群羊，在北弗吉尼亚地区建立一个荣耀神、造就门徒的属灵家庭。
As part of the anniversary celebration, Rev. Zhongming Chen preached from Genesis 9 on God’s covenant with Noah after the flood, delivering a message entitled “The Covenant Beneath the Rainbow.” Conducted bilingually in both Chinese and English, the service reaffirmed the founding vision of Ark Covenant Church: to be a Christ-centered congregation committed to covenantal discipleship, rooted in the historic catholic faith, and faithfully applying the eternal gospel within the context God has entrusted to us.
Drawing from Noah’s experience after the flood, Rev. Chen encouraged the congregation that God continues to sustain His people through difficulties with every grace they need and promises covenant blessings as they strive against sin and pursue spiritual multiplication. Looking ahead, Ark Covenant Church remains committed to the faithful preaching of the gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and the shepherding of God’s people, seeking to build a spiritual family that glorifies God and makes disciples throughout Northern Virginia.
讲道结束后，教会举行了洗礼仪式。司徒刚弟兄在众人的见证下受洗归入基督的名下。司徒弟兄在北京大学毕业后曾在乔治梅森大学继续学习，几年前移民美国后，选择在弗吉尼亚州Fairfax地区落地安家，并开始参加方舟教会。过去半年多时间里，他持续参加教会每周五晚的查经聚会以及主日崇拜和慕道班，对基督信仰和福音真理有了比较完整的认识。他承认自己是罪人，接受耶稣基督为救主和君王。经过临时长老会的两轮面试通过，司徒弟兄藉着洗礼公开见证自己的信仰。当天众多弟兄姐妹及亲友共同见证了这一恩典时刻，为神在祂儿女生命中的奇妙工作献上感恩与赞美。
Following the sermon, the congregation witnessed the baptism of Brother Situ, who publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ. After graduating from Peking University and pursuing further studies at George Mason University, he immigrated to the United States several years ago and settled in Fairfax, Virginia. Over the past six months, he faithfully attended the church’s weekly Friday Bible studies, Sunday worship services, and seekers’ classes, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Christian faith and the gospel.
Having confessed himself to be a sinner and embraced Jesus Christ as his Savior and King, he was approved for baptism following two interviews conducted by the Provisional Session. Through baptism, he publicly testified to his faith before God and His people. Family members, friends, and fellow believers rejoiced together as they witnessed this gracious work of God in his life.
随后，教会举行了新会友接纳仪式。严弟兄和贾姐妹在过去均已于PCA教会受洗或服事。他们认信改革宗神学，并在过去一年中陆续来到方舟教会，持续稳定参与主日敬拜和团契生活。在经过一段时间的观察、交通与委身后，他们决定正式加入方舟教会，成为教会大家庭中的成员。在全体会众的见证下，教会举行了庄重的会友接纳礼，并以掌声欢迎他们成为方舟大家庭的一员。随后，新老会友一同合影留念，记录这一充满感恩与喜乐的时刻。截至目前，方舟教会共有会友20位，其中包括4位非领餐儿童会友。过去一年中，有9位弟兄姐妹在方舟教会受洗，主不断将得救的人数加给我们。
The congregation then welcomed new members into the church family. Brother Yen and Sister Jia, both previously baptized and active within PCA congregations, affirm the Reformed faith and have faithfully participated in the worship and fellowship life of Ark Covenant Church throughout the past year. After a season of observation, fellowship, and commitment, they formally united with the congregation as communicant members. In the presence of the gathered church, a membership reception ceremony was conducted, and the congregation warmly welcomed them into the Ark Covenant Church family. Following the service, new and existing members gathered for a commemorative photograph, celebrating this joyful milestone together.
As of June 2026, Ark Covenant Church has 20 members, including 4 non-communing covenant children. During its first year of ministry, nine individuals have received baptism, as the Lord has continued to add to the number of those being saved.
接着，教会举行了圣餐礼。当天到访的主内弟兄姐妹与方舟会友共四十余人一同领受饼与杯，纪念主耶稣基督在十字架上的舍身流血，思想祂为教会所成就的救赎恩典，并盼望将来在羔羊婚筵中的完全团契。圣礼结束后，全体会众共同享用丰盛的爱宴。弟兄姐妹围坐交通，分享神在过去一年中的恩典与带领。晚宴期间众人一同切蛋糕、感恩团契，共同数算神过去一年的信实与慈爱。回顾过去一年，方舟教会从最初几个新移民家庭在牧师家的聚会，到如今逐渐建立稳定的敬拜、团契、门训与牧养生活，每一步都见证了上帝奇妙的恩典与保守。展望未来，方舟圣约教会将继续持守圣经真理，忠心传扬福音，装备圣徒，建立门徒，成为北弗吉尼亚华人社区中见证基督荣耀的灯台。
The congregation then celebrated the Lord’s Supper. More than forty members and visiting believers partook together of the bread and cup, remembering Christ’s body broken and blood shed for His church, reflecting upon His redeeming work on the cross, and looking forward to the perfect fellowship of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Following the sacrament, attendees shared a fellowship meal together. Around the tables, members and guests reflected on God’s faithfulness over the past year, sharing testimonies of His provision and leading. The celebration concluded with the cutting of an anniversary cake and a time of thanksgiving, as the congregation recounted the many ways God has demonstrated His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness.
Looking back, the church has grown from a small gathering of several newly arrived immigrant families meeting in the pastor’s home into a congregation with regular worship, fellowship, discipleship, and pastoral care. Every step of this journey bears witness to God’s remarkable grace and sustaining hand. Looking forward, Ark Covenant Church remains steadfast in its commitment to biblical truth, faithful gospel proclamation, the equipping of the saints, and the making of disciples. By God’s grace, the church seeks to continue serving as a faithful witness to the glory of Christ among the Chinese community of Northern Virginia and beyond.